![]() The 260C also increased the gross weight to 3200, which brought the useful load up to 1,427- the best of all Comanche’s except the 400 HP model. The Tiger Shark cowling has a more dramatic taper toward the propeller (which is a three-blade instead of the two-blade both previous variants had), and featured two smaller cowl inlets to the sides of the spinner, instead of the wide opening that surrounded the spinner. The 260C was the most visually unique variant, because it introduced the highly aerodynamic Tiger Shark cowling. The PA-24-260C was introduced the year after the PA-24-260B left production, and was produced between 1969 andġ972. The PA-24-260B also had an extra window on each side of the fuselage to provide a view for the two small seats in the rear (which took the place of the baggage area). Instead, they were added to a longer, pointer propeller spinner. However, though this model also had six seats compared to the originals four, the six inches of length weren’t added The PA-24-260B was in production between 19, and featured an additional six inches of overall length. The Piper PA-24 Comanche had many variants, but the 260 HP Comanche only had three of importance: the PA-24-260B, PA-24-260C, and the turbo-normalized PA-24-260TC.Ī total of 1,029 Piper PA-24-260 Comanche’s were sold 38 of which had carbureted engines, whereas the rest used the 260 HP fuel-injected Lycoming IO-540 5. ![]() It was originally introduced to the world as the ideal trainer, designed with CFI’s in mind. The Tomahawk is a unique looking two-seat single-engine low-wing cantilever monoplane with a T-tail, sitting on fixed tricycle landing gear, and pulled by a twin-blade propeller. Piper Tomahawk: From ‘Traumahawk’ to the Perfect Day-Tripper Performance Specifications of the Piper Comanche 4 Maximum Speed A member of my flying club has flown in a Piper Comanche, and said she could hardly hear the engine at all! The optional auxiliary fuel system added an addition 30 gallons of fuel, increasing the range exponentially. It also dedicated itself to improving the interior, by way of better cabin-soundproofing, heating, and ventilation. It improved upon the PA-24-250’s design with better landing gear and single-fork main legs, which help to create less drag when retracted. The 260 HP Lycoming IO-540 (where the PA-24-260 got its designation) came standard with a constant speed two-blade propeller and retractable tricycle landing gear. General Characteristics of the Piper Comanche 6 Piper then focused on the production of the PA-34 Seneca and PA-28R-200 Arrow at its manufacturing plant in Vero Beach, Florida 3. ![]() Unfortunately, in 1972, torrential rains from Hurricane Agnes flooded a river near Piper’s Lock Haven, PA factory (the Great Susquehanna River Flood of 1972), forcing Piper to abandon production of the Comanche and Twin Comanche, as nearly all airframes, parts, and tooling were destroyed. Though more PA-24-250’s were built and sold than the PA-24-260 3, modern pilots believe that the 260 HP Lycoming makes the PA-24-260 the most fun and practical of the Comanche line. The Piper Comanche was marketed in the mid-1960’s as “The best combination of all the features you want in a high-performance business plane,” noting its useful load, economy (compared to other all-metal aircraft at the time), and speed. 3 Comanche ad from 1964, found on Vintage Airlines and Aircraft Ads. Piper then skipped directly to the 400 HP PA-24-400 in 1964, before replacing their PA-24-250’s with PA-24-260’s as the standard in August of 1964. The Comanche 180 was introduced in 1957, and the PA-24-250, the 250 HP version, followed soon after in 1958. The Piper PA-24 Comanche 180 first flew on May 24, 1956, the first of what would become one of Piper Aircraft’s most successful single-engine series. Today, the Comanche is known for its performance, comfort, and impressive useful load, as well as its undeniable ramp appeal. The Piper Comanche features a semi-monocoque construction and laminar-flow wings, and would eventually become a pioneer in cowl-aerodynamics by the third installation of the PA-24-260, with the “Tiger Shark.” 3 Because of the success of the Comanche, sleek, high-performance aircraft like the Piper Seneca and Saratoga were made possible. As one of Piper’s first all-metal, ultra-aerodynamic airplanes furnished with a comfortable interior, it helped differentiate the company from its early style of slower tube-and-fabric aircraft. The 250 horsepower Piper PA-24-260 Comanche is a four-seat, low wing airplane with retractable landing gear. The All-Metal Piper Comanche Brought Piper Aircraft Into the Post-War Era
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