Aero-TV: Profiles in Aviation - The Family of Culver Cadets

The Morris Family Showcases Their Twin 1941 Culver Cadets

In 1937, shortly before the outbreak of World War II, renowned aircraft designer Al Mooney joined Culver as chief engineer. During those few years, Mooney spearheaded the design and production of the Culver Cadet. The aircraft quickly gained a reputation for its speed and efficiency; Mooney's Culver Cadet design, featuring retractable landing gear, was unheard of in competing aircraft. The hand-cranked retraction and extension mechanism proved popular due to its reliability; small Plexiglas windows located on the floor of the cockpit allowed pilots to check the placement of the gear. Mooney's revolutionary design allowed the Culver Cadet to reach a cruise speed of more than 120mph, making it poplar among the "business aviation" crowd of its day.

By the start of World War II, Culver had completed over 350 Cadets on the production line; however, with the United States' entrance into the War, the company's focus shifted towards military aircraft. Culver submitted a radio-controlled drone version of the Cadet LFA to the U.S. Amy Air Corps; shortly thereafter, the USAAC selected Culver's design and ordered two versions (eventually known as the PQ-8 and PQ-8A). When the war ended, Culver Aircraft struggled against the flood of surplus military aircraft. Unfortunately, the company folded causing the Culver Cadet production to cease.

It is understandable then, given the rarity of the aircraft, why antique aviation enthusiasts are impressed with the Morris family. They have restored not one, but two Culver Cadets. It took two years for Lorraine Morris and her husband, Ken Morris, to fully restore their 1941 Culver Cadet LFA. Shortly after they began the project, Ken's father, Gene Morris, decided that he would like to restore a Cadet as well. Having owned a Cadet in the 1980s, it was by his encouragement that Lorraine and Ken initially selected the Culver for their next restoration. Gene Morris' Culver Cadet LCA finished restoration within weeks of the other Morris Culver. Both aircraft feature a Continental engine (as opposed to the original Franklin engine) requiring a newly designed engine mount and cowling.

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