Page 26 - Volume 14 Number 1

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24 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
JANUARY 2020
weight of 1,560 pounds compared to 2,250 pounds and 1,304 pounds, respectively, for a standard C-37.
Although the C-37 was popular and sold well, there was still room for improvement and the next year saw introduction of the C-38. It was the first of the series to be designated Airmaster – an appropriate name for Cessna’s little monoplane that, for its price range, mastered the competition in terms of overall value for the dollar.
The C-38 was very similar to its predecessor but incorporated a new main landing gear using a heat- treated, curved tube that increased tread width by 10.5 inches. The tube was made of 4130 chrome molybdenum steel with an outside diameter of 3 inches and a wall thickness of 5/32-inch. In addition, the oil-spring shock struts were improved by installing a new piston with four metering ports to allow more oil flow to better absorb takeoff and landing loads.
Other minor changes included installation of rubber Lord mounts to reduce engine vibration into the airframe structure, and a new tailwheel
lock featuring a spring-mounted
pin to secure the eight-inch tire in the trailing position until released for full-swiveling action. One peculiar feature of the C-38 was a large, split flap mounted under the fuselage immediately aft of the landing gear struts. It acted as more of a speed brake than a flap, providing a generous amount of drag so the pilot could carry more power on final approach to landing. The flap reduced landing airspeed to about 49 mph.
The flap was operated by a hydraulic pump under the instrument panel that was accessible from either front seat; a cable-operated indicator on the cockpit floor displayed its position. When fully extended the flap caused only a minor pitch change. The vertical stabilizer and rudder were slightly larger than those of the C-37, and the aileron and elevator were hinged using ball bearings to reduce friction. Changes were also made in the cockpit. The control sticks were relocated 6 inches farther forward, and the seats were more comfortable thanks to molded rubber cushions. Plexiglas replaced obsolete Pyrolin for the windows and windshield,