Warbird Information Exchange

Piper's patch for the Enforcer program. This design was selected after a companywide contest was held. Unfortunately my entry did not win.

Warren

You gotta be kidding me. No wonder the air force didn't buy it ! The patch looks like Piper was marketing it as a TARGET !

That was an interesting program.

Warren, it looks like you might have some details of that program to share with us. Even your own patch design would be nice to see!

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Commemorative Air Force
Experimental Aircraft Association
Warbirds of America

What are you waiting for? Join us!

Best way to contact me- email my last name @gmail.com

Warren's dad was the Program Manager for the PA-48 at Piper, so he may know a thing or two about the program!

Thanks for sharing that with us. I have always been interested in that program.
Robbie

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Fly Fast Make Noise!

Gotta take the opportunity to plug my book -- I am currently writing a book chronicling the design, development, construction, and flight test of the Piper Enforcer. Warren's father has been extremely helpful with that process, as have several other people involved with the PA-48 including the two test pilots.

The book also covers the history of the Cavalier Mustangs, whose history is directly linked with the Enforcers.

It will be published in 2007 to coincide with the Mustang Gathering in Reno.

I was leaving that door open for ya Randy You know we are looking forward to it!
Robbie

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Fly Fast Make Noise!

I'm waiting for the Piper PA-38 fighting Tomahawk book

I took a long look over the Enforcer at Wright Pat one time. The display placard seemed to imply that it was a whole new aircraft, but it sure seemed to me that there was a 51 in there. Seeing a Piper dataplate on it similar to what can be found on the aforementioned “Traumahawks” was surreal.

Keep us posted on the publication date of your book, Randy! I don’t think it would be fair to pepper you with questions here.

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Commemorative Air Force
Experimental Aircraft Association
Warbirds of America

What are you waiting for? Join us!

Best way to contact me- email my last name @gmail.com

I have no problem discussing the topic here...fire away!



Both PA-48s were completely new-build airframes. The only P-51 parts were bolt-on items; flaps, ailerons, gear strut fittings, etc. There is a 2-foot portion of the top empennage just around the aft end of the canopy that was taken off a Mustang, too, because the entire canopy rail and canopy frame are from the Mustang.

Here's a shot of the fuselage under construction, as well as the canopy part in question. (Photo courtesy of Tom Cook)

Tommys are nice airplanes. Still miss the ones I trained in since the flight school folded (not the Tommys fault). Sorry to get off topic, just had to plug for an ill-treated aircraft.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

You're glass is half empty.
It's pulling off target after putting its ordnance on the bullseye!

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Don't touch my junk!!

Thanks Jack ! It was very small attempt at humor !

Randy, this is new info ( to me at least ) I thought I saw pictures and read somewhere ( Air whatever in the Warbird Report and later in a full blown article ) that the initial two were modified Mustangs that were purchsed on the open market. Subsequent aircraft were to be new builds. They were flown with cut down Skyraider props, I remember the picture showing the open ends on the hollow blades. I also remember that Congress shoved it down the USAF throat and they were prejudiced against it from the start.
Said it was dangerous to fly.

Am I close to thr real deal?

A fellow who worked with my father a few years back said he worked on the Piper Enforcer program. He mentioned that the wing tip tanks had over 300 parts in them each. Alot of engineering for a gas can.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

I can't comment on the origin of the blades on the PA-48's prop, but they are certainly hollow.

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Dan Johnson