This week we have a new temporary addition to our collection. A beautiful white, black and red Twin Comanche currently occupies a space in the White Hangar. The owner, Matt Younkin, has generously chosen us to house and display his early model Twin Comanche. You can tell an early model by its seating for four whereas later models seat six. First produced in 1961, the Twin Comanche was designed to be an affordable and luxurious craft with its low-wing design and closed cabin. The two 160 horsepower Lycoming IO-320-B1A engines allowed for a comfortable cruising speed of 160 to 210 mph. With fuel tanks at a max capacity of 120 gallons, the Twin Comanche has a travel range of 1000 to 1200 miles. Between its fuel efficiency, horsepower, climb rate, and carry capacity the Twin Comanche outperformed most, if not all, of the competition at the time. It was such a reliable aircraft that Prince William of Gloucester purchased one in the 1960s and flew it from the UK to Nigeria and back. Then later, Prince
William flew from the UK to Japan.
The first PA-30 Twin Comanche was designed to replace the Piper Apache, another twin-engine light aircraft made by Piper Aircraft. The first prototype was a modified Comanche, the single -engine predecessor to the Twin Comanche. The first flight of this prototype took place in San Antonio, Texas on April 12th, 1961. Shortly after, it was designated the PA-30 and named Twin Comanche. By 1963, all the proper hoops were jumped through, and the PA-30 Twin Comanche was available for purchase. A modest $33,900 could get you your very own Twin Comanche in 1963 or you could spend $41,200 for the “Professional” model. Either way, you could own one of the best personal aircraft of the 1960s.
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