"civilian" warplane manufacturers?

[menards]

Manufacturer versus conversions.....pretty broad!

Who was responsible for the first DC-3 gunship conversions? Yes it did add ack-ack to the otherwise very civilian or military transport DC-3.

I think Fairchild, they did the conversions of T-28s to armed...and I believe the C-119 gunships as well. Seems like they were strapping guns on anything with wings over there during that time.

[Lon Moer]

Temco, while a military parts contractor, wasn't even an "airplane company" until they submitted a modified general aviation plane, the Globe Swift, as the Temco T-35 Buckaroo for the trainer contract (losing to the Beechcraft T-34 Mentor).

[JohnB]

And the U-2 started off as a "civilian" aircraft too!

But from a military manufacturer.

But recall that Lockheed started of as a strictly civil firm.....they didn't get into military aircraft until they sold the Hudson (a modified airliner) to the RAF.
They had a civil side: Connie and Tri-Star and their abortive attempt at GA SEL aircraft (not to mention the JetStar).

[sandiego89]

Although you are painting a narrow window Stephen, you might also consider Basler and Marsh Aviation. Perhaps they don't meet your major player caveat, but further highlights the need to stay away from absolutes. Some significant conversions were also done in WWII, perhaps most famous being the Cheyenne tail turret on the B-17, which was done by an airliner depot.

Basler has done the turbine C-47's including the gunship BT-67.

Marsh did the Turbo Trackers and some impressive work on a variety of OV-10's. Seems the latest OV-10 did pretty well in a recent "trial" overseas.

Last edited by sandiego89 on Tue Dec 13, 2016 3:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[mike furline]

Manufacturer versus conversions.....pretty broad!

Who was responsible for the first DC-3 gunship conversions? Yes it did add ack-ack to the otherwise very civilian or military transport DC-3.

I think Fairchild, they did the conversions of T-28s to armed...and I believe the C-119 gunships as well. Seems like they were strapping guns on anything with wings over there during that time.

Air International in Miami did some(all?) the AC-47 conversions.

[JohnB]

Speaking of Fairchild...

Remember it armed AU-23s....Pilates Porters.

And while we're talking about Vietnam-era STOLs, would armed turbine Helio Couriers ...AU-24s count?

The courier was originally a civil airplane...though they did sell some to the USAF as U-10s.

[John Dupre]

Bellanca built 40 Model 28-90 two seat aircraft that were intended for Republican Spain in the 1930s. They were never delivered. They looked like a 1930s racing plane but with king posts on the bottom of the fuselage for wire bracing.

[shrike]

Bellanca built 40 Model 28-90 two seat aircraft that were intended for Republican Spain in the 1930s. They were never delivered. They looked like a 1930s racing plane but with king posts on the bottom of the fuselage for wire bracing.

It WAS a 1930's racing plane.

OK, continuing the theme.

Beech 18 variants marketed pre-WWII as light bombers
Spartan Executive 7W-F fighter bomber
Spartan 8W Zeus - two seat fighter derived from above

[JohnB]

I've heard of prewar Beech 18s being sold as ambulance planes for outfits like the Swedish AF, not sure I've ever heard of them as bombers, at least not from the factory.

[shrike]

I've heard of prewar Beech 18s being sold as ambulance planes for outfits like the Swedish AF, not sure I've ever heard of them as bombers, at least not from the factory.

I didn't say anyone actually bought them as bombers, but they were marketed that way in factory literature

[Chris Brame]

Beech 18 variants marketed pre-WWII as light bombers

Was that how the AT-11 was developed?

[Enemy Ace]

Beechcraft very highly modified king airs in the RC-12 series.
The Vietnam era QU-22 Bonanzas modded A36's....
Not sure if this kind of thing is what you are asking for.

[cwmc]

Would the Howard 500 count?

No. I don't know of any Howard 500s that flew in combat, though certainly plenty of Lodestars did.

And... the CIA is civilian.
Chris...

[cwmc]

On Mark re-engineered certain parts of a Douglas design. Just as Trans Florida did to the Mustang. Hardly does either make them the manufacturer of either warplane. For On Mark the Guppy was probably a bigger feat. No pun intended but for arguments sake.
Chris...