Fletcher FD-25B Defender

Fletcher FD-25B Defender

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08/31/2007. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Based on the Thorp T-11, the FD-25 was the first COIN (Counter-Insurgency) armed lightplane designed (by John Thorp) and constructed (by Fletcher) in the USA. The first single-seat prototype (N90802) was first flown by John Thorp from Whiteman Air Park, Pacoima, Los Angeles, California, on April 14, 1951.

A second prototype, designated FD-25A and registered as N90609, was arranged as a tandem two-seater and was a multi-purpose aircraft (COIN, liaison, observation, training). Unfortunately it crashed during initial testing, killing the pilot Roy Cuskci and the test engineer Leland Lord.

The third prototype (pictured) was again a single-seat aircraft, designated FD-25B and registered as N91316, flew for the first time in 1953. Although the aircraft registration was cancelled it was exhibited at the Friends of University Airport at Davis, California, in spring 2003.

Apparently a dozen FD-25s have been built under license by the Japanese company Toyo in 1954, 8 were delivered in Cambodia and 4 in Vietnam."


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08/31/2007. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "Based on the Thorp T-11, the FD-25 was the first COIN (Counter-Insurgency) armed lightplane designed (by John Thorp) and constructed (by Fletcher) in the USA. The first single-seat prototype (N90802) was first flown by John Thorp from Whiteman Air Park, Pacoima, Los Angeles, California, on April 14, 1951. A second prototype, designated FD-25A and registered as N90609, was arranged as a tandem two-seater and was a multi-purpose aircraft (COIN, liaison, observation, training). Unfortunately it crashed during initial testing, killing the pilot Roy Cuskci and the test engineer Leland Lord. The third prototype (pictured) was again a single-seat aircraft, designated FD-25B and registered as N91316, flew for the first time in 1953. Although the aircraft registration was cancelled it was exhibited at the Friends of University Airport at Davis, California, in spring 2003. Apparently a dozen FD-25s have been built under license by the Japanese company Toyo in 1954, 8 were delivered in Cambodia and 4 in Vietnam."