1966 Thorp T-18

Homebuilt Aircraft

Condition: Restoration Project

First developed and flown in 1966 by John Thorp, the T-18 was designed to be easily constructed from sheets of aluminum, and use the modified Lycoming O-290G power plant. It was originally designed with an open cockpit although wind buffeting required a canopy be installed.

Ease of construction and average cruise speed around 125 mph with an 125 hp engine made the T-18 one of the most popular homebuilt designs of the 1970s and early 1980s until the Van's Aircraft RV kit plane series came on the market.

Our T-18 is almost finished with a complete restoration.  It was built in 1966 and powered by a Lycoming O-290D2 modified by Thorp for higher horsepower.