- quality handcrafted wooden model civilian aircraft -
- quality handcrafted
wooden model civilian aircraft -
Rockwell 680FL Twin Commander
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Scale 1:32 Length 15.5" Wingspan 18.4"
Photography by Action Asia Photo |
Aero Design and Engineering formed in 1950 out of the dreams of Ted Smith (previous project engineer at the Douglas Aircraft Company) and a group of fourteen engineers who pooled their skills, resources and imagination to realize their dream of building an aircraft designed especially for business use. The first production plane rolled off the line at Tulakes Airport in Oklahoma in 1951 and was designated the Aero Commander Model 520. In 1954 the improved models 560 and 560A appeared - which were so successful that the USAF selected the Aero Commander for the use of President Dwight D. Eisenhower - marking the first use of any light twin-engined aircraft considered safe enough for the President of the United States. The Air Force ordered fifteen Aero Commanders of which two were placed in service for White House use. Next followed the Model 680 (certified December 1955) which was created by changing the engines to Lycoming GSO-480-A1A6 engines. Early in 1958, Aero Design and Engineering pioneered the first pressurized business aircraft. Using the newer Lycoming GSO-480-B1A6 engines, the aircraft was designated Model 720 Alti-Cruiser and also introduced the use of a 32" wing tip extension. That success brought the company to the attention of Colonel Rockwell, who acquired the company as a wholly owned subsidiary - thereby making available greatly increased resources for further development and expansion. The effect of that was the adoption of fuel injection engines and the re-design of the nacelles to reduce frontal area and drag, while at the same time substantially increasing power and performance. The company has never had a model year. Rather, whenever aerodynamic, power plant or other technological or engineering advancements could be made, they were incorporated into current model aircraft as they became available. If the nature of the change was sufficient to require re-certification of the aircraft by the FAA, then the model number would be changed. 1960 saw the company renamed as Aero Commander, Inc and this was followed by four new models - the 500A, 500B, 560F and 680F. In 1963 the Grand Commander was certified. The following year the first production Jet Commander 1121 flew and two months later - on December 31st, 1964 - occurred the first flight of the Turbo Commander. Length: 41 ft
3 in |
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