Cadet

Culver LCA Cadet

National Warplane Museum

The Culver Cadet was a lightweight civilian sport and trainer aircraft introduced just before World War II, embodying the growing enthusiasm for personal aviation in late 1930s America. While not a military aircraft by design, several Cadets served in auxiliary roles during the war, and the type remains a rare example of early pre-war light aircraft engineering.

Background

First flown in 1939, the Culver Cadet was developed as a sleek, low-wing monoplane intended for private pilots and flight schools. The LCA variant, produced in 1940, offered modest performance with its compact airframe and economical operation. Although primarily a civilian design, the U.S. military did adopt modified versions — designated PQ-8/PQ-8A — as radio-controlled target drones during WWII for gunnery training. The Cadet’s simple construction, docile flying characteristics, and affordability made it a popular trainer for many new pilots prior to wartime mobilization.

Use & Purpose

While never intended for combat, the Cadet played a role in pre-war flight training and, in modified form, supported wartime training by serving as target drones. The type is significant as an example of America’s booming private aviation market in the years leading up to WWII — a market that would soon be transformed by the war effort.

Museum Example

• Culver LCA Cadet (Serial No. 140)

Built in 1940, this LCA Cadet was donated to the National Warplane Museum in 2008 by Betty J. Stone. Uniquely, this aircraft has been painted to resemble a Supermarine Spitfire, complete with a British camouflage scheme and dummy machine guns mounted on the cowling — a creative nod to its era and a visual conversation starter for visitors. The aircraft is currently a static display and would require a full restoration to return to airworthy condition. As one of the few surviving Culver Cadets on display today, it serves as a reminder of America’s thriving pre-war aviation industry and the many small aircraft that supported the development of wartime pilots.