Thorp Aircraft

Thorp Aircraft, through the thorp18.com community site, supports builders, owners and pilots of the Thorp T-18, the all-metal, two-place, side-by-side homebuilt aircraft designed by John Thorp. The site brings together a builders' forum, information pages, frequently asked questions, a map of T-18 owners, a gallery and details of the annual Thorp Aircraft weekend, and links to the separate Thorp Aircraft plans and kit supplier at thorpaircraft.com.

The Thorp T-18

• Originally developed around the Lycoming O-290G ground power unit engine, easily converted to a 125 hp Lycoming O-290D, and later flown with a range of engines and propellers
• A high-performance cross-country aircraft carrying two people and 80 lb of baggage, cruising at around 180 mph depending on engine and propeller, with exceptional control response and well harmonised control forces
• Designed to be built from twelve 4 by 12 foot aluminium sheets between 0.016 and 0.040 inch thick, with ribs and fuselage frames hand formed with a mallet over plywood form blocks and simple aluminium angle extrusions for stringers and longerons
• A gravity-fed fuel system from the main tank that needs no boost pump when built to the recommended practice of 3/8 inch lines, 45 degree or straight AN fittings and a direct path to the carburettor

Builder and owner support

• Technical answers on building, flying and maintenance, including the canopy, fuel system and other FAQs
• A pre-purchase inspection checklist compiled by a Mutual Aid Society member, covering wing skin creases that can indicate high G loads, nose rib rivets and John Thorp's revised drawings
• A list of volunteer helpers offering flight instruction and checkouts for new owners, project viewing and travel to assist builders
• The T-18 forum at t18.net and an owner map

Thorp Aircraft weekend

The community holds its fall gathering at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park; the 2026 Thorp Aircraft Weekend runs from 9 to 11 October with a block of rooms reserved at the resort, camping and cottages available, and fly-in access via Kentucky Dam State Park Airport (M34), which has a 4,000 foot paved runway about a mile from the resort with transportation available.

Shows

Thorp Aircraft appears in the exhibitor lists of Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo 2027 and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2027.

Contact

United States
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