PIPER “APACHE”€

The Piper Apache is generally credited as being the first successful light twin. While Apaches are no longer in production, they were made in such great numbers that the supply is plentiful, and they should be plentiful for many years to come. It all began in 1952 with the introduction of the Twin-Stinson, the first Piper of Stinson lineage to be produced since the Piper/Stinson Flying Station Wagon. It was powered by twin 125-hp Lycoming engines. The following year Piper introduced the PA-23 Apache, a vast improvement on the Twin-Stinson concept.The Apache featured a conventional single rudder tail unit rather than the Twin-Stinson's twin-tail configuration, and power was boosted with the use of 150-hp Lycomings. The new Piper also utilized all-metal construction and retractable landing gear. In 1958, 160-hp engines were added, and in 1963, the 235-hp Lycoming became the standard powerplant to meet requirements for better single-engine performance. This later model was the first to sport swept tail surfaces and was quite similar to the Aztec of the same vintage, except for the Apache's smaller engines and shorter nose.