XTD4C-1

The XTD4C-1 was a late‑1950s experimental transport aircraft built by the Culver Aircraft Company, a firm best known for its light trainers and the pioneering Culver Cadet. In 1957 Culver, seeking to diversify after World War II contracts waned, commissioned the XTD4C‑1 as a high‑wing, twin‑engine platform intended for short‑haul cargo and troop‑carrier duties. Only two prototypes were completed before the program was cancelled in 1960 due to budget cuts and competition from larger manufacturers.

Key features of the XTD4C‑1 included a spacious, box‑shaped fuselage with a rear loading ramp, dual 750‑horsepower Lycoming turboprop engines, and a reinforced landing‑gear system capable of operating from unprepared strips. The aircraft incorporated the company’s signature “variable‑incidence” wing, allowing the leading edge to tilt up to 5 degrees for improved lift during take‑off and landing. Cockpit instrumentation was fully metric, reflecting the growing interest in standardizing avionics across NATO allies.

Although it never entered service, the XTD4C‑1 demonstrated innovative concepts that influenced later utility transports, particularly the emphasis on modular cargo bays and adaptable wing geometry. Its brief existence highlighted Culver’s technical ambition and contributed to the evolution of post‑war military logistics aircraft.