Early look at Cessna 337 Skymaster - Push Pull Twin

  • This is the twin-boom twin-engine with in-line thrust with retractable landing gear that was promoted as the Cessna "Can Do" twin. When introduced in 1963 the C337 was promoted as the Super Skymaster and touted the advantages and simplicity of having the engines in line. Shorter takeoffs and landing are possible and the Skymaster can be found at some exceptionally short runway airports. Places you would not expect to see a twin. The six seats are typical and will carry 4 adults and baggage in comfort an exceptionally long distance due to 4 fuel tanks. Later model had even higher useful loads.

    The yard wide doors, flat floor, wide aisle, and exceptional head and leg room along with ease of entry without ducking underneath a wing mounted engine dripping oil on your clean shirt were selling points. A low price of $39,950 helped to move them off the show room floor and into the hands of wantabee twin owners.

    This one is in early Alpha and has a ways to go prior to release but, I thought you might want to know that it is in work for AFS2. Note the open/close passenger door already and the female pilot. It also will have several liveries from around the world. I am not sure if we will get a military observation version known as the O-2A and used in Viet Nam as a replacement for the O1-A Birddog. This military version has rocket pods mounted under the wings. This one is not one of the sharper and more detailed 3d models but could be a nice addition as a small corporate twin for AFS2.

    In practice, the Super Skymaster created a headache for the FAA, which was solved by adding a limiting endorsement of the multi-engine rating - limited to center-line thrust. Further, the rear engine tended to overhead when on the ground and would shutdown. A few pilots tried to takeoff without the rear engine providing the needed thrust and crashed. The FAA quickly added a special placard - DO NOT INITIATE SINGLE ENGINE TAKEOFF.

    About 3.000 C337 were built between 1963 and 1982 including a pressurized cabin with turbocharged engines version and even a twin-turboprop version. Reims in France picked up production and added STOL capability.

    Typical cruise speed is 125 knots, range is 965 miles and rate of climb is 1,200 FPM. Due to the large cabin and wide door, the Skymaster has been successfully used as an air ambulance. The high wing design with large windows and relatively slow cruise speed makes a good fire detection and aerial observation platform.


    Regards,

    Ray