Hi Joe,
Thanks for your correct info......funny thing is, I used to know exactly what you state about the Vagabond history, but I had a "senior moment brain cramp" when I made the post to correct the guy who said the Wag-A-Bond was a kit version PA11.
But, many years ago I did see a PA17 Vagabond at "Sentimental Journey" at Lockhaven,PA that had toe brakes (and clevelands) fitted on both sides.....the owner was like you...didn't like flying with stick in left hand ,right hand on throttle, so he did a field mod upgrade to the brakes and flew his from the right seat. If I recall he also had done an engine upgrade....I think it had a Continental C85-12F with electric start. I probably have a snapshot of that plane somewhere in my old photos.
Regards,
Rich A.
----- Original Message -----
From: gremmieguy <piper_pa20@prodigy.net>
To: Sport Aircraft <Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:00:43 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group PA-15/17
Posted by: "rckchp@comcast.net" rckchp@comcast.net rckchp2000
Mon Feb 28, 2011 1:58 am (PST)
Posted earlier:
Hello,
I believe the PA-11 was/is a revised version of the J3 Cub....major improvements were a 100hp engine with enclosed cowling and can be soloed from the front seat. Not sure but I think brakes were also upgraded to toe brakes instead of heal brakes as in the J3.
On the other hand, the Wag-A-Bond is a plans/kit version of the Piper PA-15/PA-17 Vagabond.... a side by side seating version of the Cub. The PA15 was an "economy" version, no electrical system,hand propped,brakes only on pilot side,minimal instruments, etc. The PA-17 had full dual controls,more instruments, electric start...a "deluxe" Vagabond. I think the behind the seats baggage area was good for 50 pounds but I don't know the dimensions.
Rich A.
I own and fly a PA-17. It was not a side by side version of the cub (That was the piper J-4). The PA-15 and later 17 was developed to be a cheap trainer after Piper went into bankruptcy when the light plane market suddenly crashed in 1947. The Vagabond was developed to use up
the supply of tubing and fabric that Piper already owned and the engines they had on order (Lycomings first and Continentals later). The Vagabond
uses the same airfoil as the Cub but with 3 feet lopped off of the root end of each wing. The PA-15 was bare bones with one set of controls and
no shock cords in the landing gear. The PA-17 was developed to add a few more features including dual sticks and a shock cord landing gear.
Neither plane had brakes on the right side and neither airplane was equipped with an electrical system. They are pretty good little bare bones planes and with good roll rate. The only thing I will never get used to is flying with the stick in my left hand and my right hand on the throttle. If I could find
an affordable PA-11 I'd sell my Vagabond in a heartbeat.
Joe F.
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