Really Peculiar Aircraft

Really Peculiar Aircraft

The DeKellis-Oslon Air Truck was an experimental American light utility aircraft developed in the 1950s with a focus on simple construction, high payload, and rugged STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) performance. Intended as an economical "flying truck" for remote areas, it featured a boxy fuselage, high-mounted wing, and tailwheel landing gear, allowing it to operate from unprepared fields.Designed for versatility—carrying cargo, passengers, or agricultural equipment—it was part of a broader effort to create low-cost aviation solutions for civilian and bush use. However, it never went into production and remains a little-known example of postwar utility aircraft innovation.

It was registered in 1955 as N2841D and was designed and built over a period of four years by Thomas E DeKellis at Oroville,California.It is believed to have been built with PA18A wings and the engine was an R-985.It only flew once, a circuit of Oroville airport, but it remained on the aircraft register at least to 1964. It was also blown over at some stage.

This was Mr. Thomas E.DeKellis’ idea of the perfect crop duster aeroplane. Not satisfied with the modified aircraft then available, he thought an triplane design would do a better job. With that formula he intended to improve both maneuverability and carrying capacity. As a plus, those qualities were perfect not only for a duster, but also for a heavy duty light cargo aircraft. This was the only prototype built, with BT-13 surplus pieces by mechanic Alan Olson in 1957. Flown and soon forgotten. (Aviation Rapture)