THE AIRFORCE - AIRCRAFT - EXPLORER
Aircraft Stats:
Powerplant: 1 x Lycoming 200hp 4-cylinder engine
Speed: 202 kph, 125mph mph
Seats: 4
Span: 9.8m, ft
Empty Weight: 621kg, 1,370lb
Max T/O Weight: 998kg, 2,200lb
Explorer
Status: Museum
Manufacturer: Patchen
Country of Manufacture: United States
Role: Reconnaissance/Utility
The Explorer was was developed for pipeline patrol operation, aerial photography and lawenforcement agencies. The large forward view from the unobstructed canopy made this an ideal observation aircraft.
Construction of a prototype was completed by the Aerofab Corp. of Sanford, ME, and its flight-test program was completed in November 1972.
The prototype was shipped to South Africa and evaluated by the SAAF's Test Flight and Development Centre for use as a light recon forward air control aircraft, but was not quite what was required. As a result it languished in a hangar for many years before being donated to the SAAF Museum.
The Explorer, serial 2000, is part of the SAAF Museum Historic Flight.
