INTERSTATE S1B “CADET”€

In 1940, the Interstate Aircraft & Engineering Corp. began production of the Interstate Cadet. The S1B was a member of a family of taildraggers, such as the Piper Cub, Taylorcraft, Luscombe, and Aeronca Champ that served many a weekend pilot with fun-filled hours during the late 1930s and early 1940s. The original Cadet was produced in a number of versions using engines from 65 hp to 102 hp. Most popular was the S513 using a 102-hp four-cylinder Franklin. The tandem two-seater was modified for the military at the beginning of the war and called the L-6 liaison plane. This version was equipped with a glazed canopy that extended well aft toward the tail. In 1969, production of the Interstate Cadet was resurrected by Bill and Jan Diehl, owners of Arctic Aircraft Co. in Anchorage, Alaska. The one family operation has modified the Cadet to become a lightweight bush plane. Installation of a 150-hp Lycoming engine has markedly increased performance and useful load. Large, high flotation tires permit safe landings on beaches or riverbeds. Construction is of chromoly tubing covered with Dacron. All control cables, brake cables, fuel lines, and the like are completely exposed. The revived Cadet, now dubbed the S2132, has been certificated for aerobatics, and even snap maneuvers are approved.