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Ka-1 in the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg

Paul H. Knepper was an American aircraft engineer.

Early life

Knepper was born in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

Career

He worked at several aircraft companies before becoming an instructor at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics. There he designed his first airplane,[1] the Ka-1 Crusader as a prototype for a training plane that he wanted to commercially produce in Lehighton, Pennsylvania. The two-seater featured an innovative tricycle landing gear with a wheel under its nose that prevented the tail from dragging upon landing.[2]

Although advanced for its day the Crusader was never commercially produced, since World War II forced a halt in the manufacture of commercial aircraft.

In 1990, friends of Paul Knepper restored the Crusader and donated it to the State Museum of Pennsylvania.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ "Manuscript Group 430". Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  2. ^ Eckland, K. O. (7 March 2009). "American airplanes: Ka - Ku". Aerofiles. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  3. ^ Kraft, Randy (10 February 1991). "Crusader Lands in State Museum, Plane was Designed by Tamaqua Man". The Morning Call. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  4. ^ Wittman, Bob; Braden, Tyra (16 December 1990). "Museum Display Honors a Man's Love of Aviation". The Morning Call. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
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