Converting Civilian Propeller Aircraft

How expensive would it be to convert a cheap cessna into a WWI fighter/bomber?

What would be required?

What is the maximum firepower I would expect? Could I emplace an autocannon? Or would I be restricted to .3 caliber automatic weaponry?

Easiest and simpliest method is to stick a hard point on each wing. at the high end of the "cheap cessna" span you could likely have the hard points rated at the equivelent of a M260 7 tube hydra pod (about 100-120kg).

With a 120KG capcacity you could mount the FN HMP250 .50 cal pod.

20mm pods are out unless you can find a way to include 250kg hard points.

Of relevance here, my flight experience has resulted (among other things) in my possession of the Information Manual for a Piper Warrior III, which is similar in performance to that most common of light aircraft, the Cessna 172.

Performance-wise, the Warrior III possesses more power, and has a faster cruising speed than the Sopwith Camel has a maximum speed, while also having a substantially greater range. The only area the Camel has a clear advantage is in terms of maximum altitude, but this isn't terribly practical given the aircraft's lack of supplemental oxygen equipment.

The manual for the Warrior III lists a Basic Empty Weight of 1,500 lbs (680 kg), and a Maximum Takeoff Weight of 2,440 lbs (1,107 kg). This gives us roughly 960 lbs (435 kg) to work with for any payload at all. This, however, does not account for fuel, and a maximum load of 48 gallons takes up 289 lbs (131 kg). This also does not account for the weight of the pilot; let us assume a typical 180 lbs (82 kg). We now have just 491 lbs (223 kg) to work with.

Perhaps if we only seek to match the Camel's range we can cut our fuel load in half. But though this frees up payload, we have to deal with an important problem: where are the weapons to be mounted? Combat aircraft are designed with being fitted with weapons in mind. Converting a civilian aircraft to carry armament requires that there be adequate space somewhere, not currently being used. Where exactly would you like to carry your armaments?

Well, I'm just looking at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Bulldog_III

I'm going to make sure the craft is balanced. Place weaponry on both sides of the wing, or on the belly of the craft.

If we fit weapons to the wings, we must concern ourselves with the stresses on the wings as a result of this additional weight. What we can possibly do is compensate the additional weight on the wings by fitting a fuel tank inside the cabin and moving some of the fuel there.

If we fit weapons to the belly, we may not need to do anything about the fuel but it is likely we can only mount bombs here as forward firing guns will not be practical at this location*.

*Before you mention interrupter gear, remember that traditional interrupter gear guns are fitted in the nose of the aircraft, right near the engine.

How long would this take to do at a airport if you have the mil. gear for something else and a machine shop?

From concept to flight.

not long if you have the gear and the design--- a few bolts here, a few cuts there,


It occurs to me you need to account for the weight of the mountings as well as the weight of the weapons.

It would be quicker/easier/simpler to design, from scratch, such a plane. And simply make a civvy variant.

Easily a light weight kit plane type deal could be made.

The HUGE issue here, as a fighter, is that despite the power, a Sopwith Camel will out turn and maneuver most Cessna or light civvy aircraft. They are not designed with that in mind. Maybe using an aerobatic plane. If it's just a bomb truck, then just up the MTOW.

I know upping the MTOW may annoy some people, but if you look at, for example the Skymaster/O-2 (Exact same plane, but with changes we want here) they did just that.

Also, see Pilatus C-6 and the AU-23 Peacemaker.

The O-2 was pretty much what I was thinking of as the high end of cheap cessna scale.

This is why NSD is probably on a terrorist watchlist right now.

Surprised no one brought up the nigerian civil war

I'm In Jur Airspace, killin jur migs on teh ground

Yeah, it's not like anybody posted a picture of Carl Gustaf von Rosen in this thread or anything.

I broadly agree with the conclusions in this thread. Most civvie aircraft aren't designed to haul notable payloads, better to hack at an aircraft already used for military trainer duties

Rhodies made pretty good use of Skymasters