The story
Dwane Wallace, Clyde Cessna's nephew, designed the C-34 Airmaster, and it first flew in August 1934 as Cessna climbed back out of the Depression. Its high wing is a wooden cantilever with no struts at all, over a steel-tube fuselage. A C-34 won the Detroit News Trophy race at the 1935 National Air Races in Cleveland, a contest that judged economy, comfort and safety as well as speed. The line grew through the C-37, C-38, C-145 and C-165 until the Second World War ended it in 1941, with about 185 built.
Its race wins earned the Airmaster the title "World's Most Efficient Airplane", and the name stuck with it for years after production ended.
Quick answers
How do you identify a Airmaster?
A high-wing cabin monoplane with no wing struts, which sets it apart from the strut-braced Stinson Reliant and Fairchild 24 of the same era. Tightly cowled round radial nose, narrow cabin windows and fixed tailwheel gear; from the C-38 on, the main gear legs bow outward and the fin is taller.
What does a Airmaster sound like?
The busy clatter of a seven-cylinder Warner radial.
How fast is the Airmaster?
Top speed is 141 kts (162 mph) (C-34).
How many passengers does the Airmaster carry?
Up to 3. A typical layout is Four seats in an enclosed cabin.
How far can the Airmaster fly?
Range is about 478 nmi (C-34).
How big is the Airmaster?
It is 24 ft 7 in (C-34) long and 33 ft 10 in (C-34) across the wings.
When did the Airmaster first fly?
Its first flight was in 1934.
How many Airmasters have been built?
About 185 (all models) built.
How rare is a Airmaster in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first Airmaster catch is worth 25 points.
