CA-3 Airster
In 1926, American engineer Alfred Verville and French engineer Etienne Dormoy developed a light multi-purpose aircraft project for the Buhl Aircraft Company. This design resulted in a two-seat, single-strut biplane, conceived for great versatility.
The aircraft could be equipped with an air-cooled engine, then designated as the CA-3 Airster (‘A’ for air-cooled), or with a water-cooled engine, known as the CW-3 (‘W’ for water-cooled).
Technical Specifications
Early CA-3 units were also designated as J4 Airster, referencing the Wright J-4 Whirlwind engine that powered them. Subsequently, the CA-3A variant was fitted with a 225-horsepower Wright J-5.
In contrast, the CW-3 OX5 Airster utilized a 90-horsepower Curtiss OX-5 engine, showcasing the design’s adaptability to different power requirements.
Versatility and Achievements
The Airster aircraft found a wide range of applications, being used for tourism, light cargo transport, aerial photography, and sports activities. In the sporting arena, they achieved notable successes.
For instance, in 1926, a CA-3 secured second place in the Ford National Reliability Air Tour, and the following year, it achieved third place in the Ford Air Tour, demonstrating its reliability and performance in competition.
Pioneer in Certification
A significant milestone occurred in 1927 when the aircraft passed certification by the Department of Aeronautics of the Ministry of Commerce. This achievement made it the first American aircraft to receive A.T.C. No.1 certification.
Although one CA-3 and one CW-3 Wright Trainer were proposed to the U.S. Army Air Corps as initial training aircraft, the contract was ultimately not signed, limiting its military adoption.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | CA-3 |
| Wingspan, m | 10.87 |
| Length, m | 7.42 |
| Height, m | 2.74 |
| Wing area, m2 | 27.87 |
| Empty weight | 642 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 1043 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Wright J-4 Whirlwind |
| Power, hp | 1 x 200 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 202 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 177 |
| Practical range, km | 708 |
| Service ceiling, m | 4877 |
| Crew | 2 crew |
Image and diagram gallery of the CA-3 Airster
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Fuentes y Rigurosidad
La información presentada en esta ficha técnica ha sido compilada a partir de manuales de vuelo desclasificados, archivos históricos y bibliografía especializada. Aunque nos esforzamos por mantener la máxima precisión, algunos datos de rendimiento pueden variar según la variante específica o las condiciones operativas.