The Aeronca K series, Aeronca Chief, Aeronca Super Chief, Aeronca Tandem, Aeronca Scout, Aeronca Sea Scout, Aeronca Champion and Aeronca Defender were a family of American high-winged light touring aircraft, designed and built starting in the late 1930s by Aeronca Aircraft.

Design and development

Aeronca was noted for producing light side-by-side two-seat touring aircraft since the introduction of the

Aeronca C-2 The Aeronca C-2 is an American light monoplane designed by Jean A. Roche and built by Aeronca Aircraft. Development Roche Monoplane Jean A. Roche was a U.S. Army engineer at McCook Field airfield in Dayton, Ohio. Roche developed an aircraf ...

in 1929. A more refined aircraft with an improved undercarriage and steel tube wing bracing struts in place of wires, was developed in 1937 as the Aeronca K, powered by a

Aeronca E-113 The E-113 was a small flat-twin piston engine developed by Aeronca for use in some of their light aircraft. It was an overhead valve development of the flathead configuration E-107. Design and development Originally fitted with a single igniti ...

engine, beginning the long line of Aeronca high wing touring, training, military liaison and observation aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s. The K series was powered by a variety of to Aeronca, Continental, Franklin or

Menasco The Menasco Motors Company was an American aircraft engine and component manufacturer. History The company was organized by Albert S. Menasco in 1926 to convert World War I surplus Salmson Z-9 water-cooled nine-cylinder radials into air-coole ...

engines. Consumer demand for more comfort, longer range and better instrumentation resulted in development of the Aeronca 50 Chief in 1938. Although little more than an incremental development of the K series the Model 50 heralded a new designation system used for the high-winged tourers, including the manufacturer and power rating of the engine, dropping the letter designation system. Thus the Aeronca 65CA Super Chief' was powered by a

Continental A-65 The Continental O-170 engine is the collective military designation for a family of small aircraft engines, known under the company designation of A50, A65, A75 and A80. The line was designed and built by Continental Motors commencing in the 194 ...

with side-by-side seating and improvements over the 65C Super Chief. Other developments included tandem seating for use as trainer, liaison, observation aircraft or glider trainers as well as float-plane versions. Throughout the production life of the Aeronca Chief family the aircraft was improved incrementally, from a rather basic specification to a reasonably comfortable tourer with car-style interior.

Description

The Aeronca high-wing formula used a welded steel tube fuselage covered with fabric, wooden wings covered with plywood and fabric braced by V-struts to the rear undercarriage attachment point on the lower fuselage. Tail surfaces were also built up with welded steel tubing covered with fabric. The fixed tail-wheel undercarriage, sprung with oleo struts and faired triangular side members hinged at the fuselage. A small tail-wheel on a spring steel leaf at the extreme rear of the fuselage completed the under-carriage. The engine is fitted conventionally in the nose and was either semi-cowled or fully cowled using sheet aluminium alloy, depending on model. Some civilian models had side-by-side seating in a well-glazed cabin under the wing centre-section, with entry through car style doors either side. A tandem seating arrangement was developed for training and military models with the rear seat mounted inches higher than the front to allow the instructor to use the same instruments as the trainee and improve forward view from the back seat. Tandem seat aircraft had extensively glazed cockpits to allow good all-round visibility. A wide variety of engines were available for use on the Aeronca Chief series, including home grown Aeronca engines and Continental, Franklin,

or Lycoming engines. The engine installed was reflected in the designation using the initial letter as a suffix in the designation. Aeronca continued development during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, introducing the tandem seating Aeronca 7 Champion, taking advantage of the refinements developed with previous versions. The Champion is often regarded as a completely new design, but the influence of the Chief and Tandem is readily apparent. A side-by-side version was also introduced in 1945 as the Aeronca 11 Chief. Military versions of the Aeronca 7 series were operated by the USAF as the Aeronca L-16.

Operational history

Civilian aircraft proved popular as touring aircraft and as trainers. Military aircraft found employment as trainer, liaison, observation aircraft primarily with the USAAF.

Operators (military)

: *

United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Aerial warfare, air military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part ...

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

(XLRN-1)

Variants

''Data from:Aerofiles.com ;Aeronca CF Scout :(1936) Precursor to the KC Scout, powered by a

Franklin 4AC The Franklin O-150 (company designation 4AC-150) was an American air-cooled aircraft engine of the late 1930s. The engine was of four-cylinder, horizontally-opposed layout and displaced . The power output was nominally . Applications * Aer ...

. 6 built. ;

Aeronca K The Aeronca Model K Scout is an American light airplane first marketed in 1937, and was the true successor to the popular C-2/ C-3 line. Design Powered by a dual-ignition Aeronca E-113C engine, the Model K Scout brought the Aeronca design up t ...

:(1937). A drastic re-design of the Aeronca C using steel tube braced wings in place of king-posts and wire bracing, new undercarriage, enclosed cabin, more powerful engine and many other detail refinements. Initial versions had a door on one side only. Powered by a

. 344 built ;Aeronca KC Scout :(1937) detail improvements including doors either side. Powered by a

Continental A-40 The Continental A40 engine is a carbureted four-cylinder, horizontally opposed, air-cooled aircraft engine that was developed especially for use in light aircraft by Continental Motors. It was produced between 1931 and 1941. Design and developm ...

. 34 built. ;Aeronca KC Sea Scout :Float-plane conversions of the two-door Scout ;Aeronca KCA Chief :(1938) Introduced a wider cabin for improved comfort, evolved into the wide-cabin 50C Chief. Powered by a

Continental A-50 The Continental O-170 engine is the collective military designation for a family of small aircraft engines, known under the company designation of A50, A65, A75 and A80. The line was designed and built by Continental Motors commencing in the 194 ...

. 62 built. ;Aeronca KF Chief :(1938) a Franklin engined version of the Model K. Evolved into the 50F Chief. Powered by a

. 5 built. ;Aeronca KM Chief :(1938) a Menasco engined version of the Model K. Evolved into the 50M Chief. Powered by a

Menasco M-50 The Menasco M-50 was an American four-cylinder horizontally-opposed aircraft engine An aircraft engine, often referred to as an aero engine, is the power component of an aircraft propulsion system. Most aircraft engines are either piston ...

. 9 built. ;Aeronca KS Sea Scout :(1937) Production float-plane versions of the Model K. 13 built. ;

Aeronca 50C Chief The Aeronca Model 50 Chief was an American light plane of the late 1930s. Consumer demand for more comfort, longer range and better instrumentation resulted in its development in 1938, powered by a 50-horsepower (37-kilowatt) Continental, Frankl ...

:(1938) An improved KCA with a wider cabin, powered by a

. 248 built. The first light-plane to fly non-stop from

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...

, on 29–30 November 1938, covering miles in 30hours 47minutes, averaging , with an impressive fuel cost-per-mile of about one cent. ;Aeronca 50F Chief :(1938) powered by a

. 40 built. ;Aeronca 50L Chief :(1938) The 50L had exposed cylinders and was powered by a

Lycoming O-145 The Lycoming O-145 is a family of small, low-horsepower, four-cylinder, air-cooled engines. It was Lycoming Engines' first horizontally opposed aircraft engine and was produced from 1938 until the late 1940s. The family includes the reduction-ge ...

. 65 built. ;Aeronca 50LA Chief :The 50LA, with Lycoming engine, had a closed cowling. 20 built. ;Aeronca 50M Chief :(1938) A single 50M was built, powered by a

. ;Aeronca 50TC :(1939) The first tandem Aeronca, introduced as competition for the Piper Cub, powered by a

. 16 built. ;Aeronca 50TL Tandem :The 50TL was powered by a

. 33 built. ;Aeronca 60TF :(1940) Essentially the same as the50TC, powered by a

conferring slightly increased performance. ;Aeronca 60TL Tandem : Powered by a

. 118 built for the USAAF as the O-58B, powered by a

;Aeronca 65C Chief :(1938) Powered by a

. 279 were built, many of which were impressed by the USAAF as O-58/L-3s in 1942. Aeronca-65CA

;Aeronca 65CA Super Chief :The 65C with an optional auxiliary fuel tank, and other deluxe appointments. 655 built. ;Aeronca 65LA Chief :(1939) Powered by a

. 87 built. ;Aeronca 65LB Super Chief :(1940) Powered by a

. 199 built. ;Aeronca 65TC Tandem :(1940) Powered by a

. 112 built. ;Aeronca 65TAC Defender :Tandem seating for military training, 154 built. ;Aeronca 65TF Tandem :1940) Powered by a

, 59 built. ;Aeronca 65TAF Defender :115 built. ;Aeronca 65TL Tandem :(1940) Powered by a

. 299 built plus 4 YO-58, 20 O-58, 701 L-3B, and 499 L-3C, plus 253 TG-5 gliders to the USAAF. ;Aeronca 65TAL Defender :100 built. ;

Aeronca 7AC Champion The Aeronca Model 7 Champion, commonly known as the "Champ", or "Airknocker",Bellanca Aircraft Corp, " d: "The Champ only $4,995"" ''Flying Annual & Pilots' Guide,'' 1971 ed., pp.36–37 iff-Davis NY is a single-engine light airplane with a ...

:(1944) The Tandem/Defender re-vitalised for the postwar market, powered by a

Continental A-65-8 The Continental O-170 engine is the collective military designation for a family of small aircraft engines, known under the company designation of A50, A65, A75 and A80. The line was designed and built by Continental Motors commencing in the 194 ...

, 7,200 were built and aircraft for the USAAF were designated L-16. Revived in 1954 as the Champion Citabria, which later became the

Bellanca Citabria The Citabria is a light single-engine, two-seat, fixed conventional gear airplane which entered production in the United States in 1964. Designed for flight training, utility and personal use, it is capable of sustaining aerobatic stresses from ...

. ;Aeronca 7ACS Champion :(aka S7AC) Floatplane versions of the 7AC ;Aeronca 7BCM Champion :(1947) Powered by an Continental C-85-8 and fitted with improved undercarriage, reinforced fuselage, and other refinements. 509 were built, all of which were delivered to the USAAF as Aeronca L-16As. ;Aeronca 7CCM Champion :(1948) Powered by a Continental C-90-8F (O-205-1), fitted with a larger dorsal fin and wing tanks. 125 civilian models were built. (100 built for the USAAF as the L-16B) ;Aeronca 7DC :(1948) Powered by an Continental C-85-8, fitted with a dorsal fin and larger tail-plane. 168 built. ;Aeronca 7DCM Farm Wagon :The 7DC fitted with a wood-lined cargo bin. ;Aeronca 7DCS Champion :The 7DCS (akaS7DC) was the float-plane version with a ventral fin. ;Aeronca 7EC Traveller :(1949) Powered by a Continental C-90-12F, the first Aeronca offering a starter and a generator. 96 built. Resurrected as the Champion 7EC in 1955. ;Aeronca 7ECS Champion :The 7ECS (akaS7EC) was the float-plane version of the 7EC with a ventral fin and floats. ;Aeronca 7FC Tri-Traveller :(1949) A single prototype of a 7EC fitted with a Tricycle undercarriage. ; Aeronca 11AC Chief :(1945) Powered by a

, post-war production of the chief with more refined interior and other improvements. 1,862 built. Shares no parts with the previous pre-war Chief, but 70% of parts are shared with the 7 series Champion. Used as the basis for the Hindustan Aeronautics HAL-26 Pushpak trainer in 1958. ;Aeronca 11ACS Chief :(aka S11AC), the floatplane version of the 11AC Chief. ;Aeronca 11BC Chief :(1945) Powered by an Continental C-85-8F. 180 built. ;Aeronca 11BCS Chief :Floatplane version of the 11BC ;Aeronca 11CC Super Chief :(1948) Powered by an Continental C-85-8F, the 11CC introduced a higher gross weight, and wider centre of gravity range. 276 built. ;Aeronca 11CCS Super Chief :(akaS11CC), the floatplane version of the 11CC Super Chief. ; Aeronca O-58 Grasshopper :(1941) The military version of the Model 65T Tandem with greenhouse cabin and YO-170 / O-170-3, similar to civil models. Originally designated in the Observation category, changed to the Liaison category in 1942. ;

Aeronca L-3 The Aeronca L-3 group of observation and liaison aircraft were used by the United States Army Air Corps in World War II. The L-3 series were adapted from Aeronca's pre-war Tandem Trainer and Chief models. Design and development In 1941, the ...

:(YO-58 / O-58) 54 built. ;Aeronca L-3A :(O-58A) 20 built. ;Aeronca L-3B :(O-58B) 875 built. ;Aeronca L-3C :With no radio and reduced weight. 490 built. ;Aeronca L-3D :Eleven 65TF, with Franklin 4AC-167 engines, impressed into the USAAF. ;Aeronca L-3E :Twelve 65TC, with

engines, impressed into the USAAF. ;Aeronca L-3F :Nineteen Super Chiefs, with

engines, impressed into the USAAF. ;Aeronca L-3G :Four Super Chiefs, with Lycoming O-145-B1 engines, impressed into the USAAF. ;Aeronca L-3H :One 65TL, with Lycoming O-145-B1 engine, impressed into the USAAF. ;Aeronca L-3J :One 65TC, with Continental A-65-7 engine, impressed into the USAAF. ;Aeronca TG-5 :A trainer for glider pilots produced by removing the engine, fairing in the nose and fitting a tow hook for aero-towing. 253 built. ;Aeronca TG-33 :A single TG-5 converted for prone-pilot tests. ;Aeronca XLNR-1 :Three TG-5 gliders transferred to the US Navy ;Aeronca L-16A :All 509 Aeronca 7BCM aircraft were delivered to the USAAF as the L-16A. ;Aeronca L-16B :Production of the 7CCM Champion for the USAF, 100 built as the L-16B

Aircraft on display

* The original prototype 50-C ''(s/n C-1018)'' is on display at the

New England Air Museum The New England Air Museum (NEAM) is an American aerospace museum located adjacent to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. The museum consists of three display hangars with additional storage and restoration hangars. Its co ...

Bradley International Airport Bradley International Airport is a public international airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, United States. Owned and operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority, it is the second-largest airport in New England. The airport is about hal ...

, Windsor Locks, CT. *There is an Aeronca 65TC on display at the Pacific Aviation Museum in Hawaii that was in the air at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Specifications (Model 65C Chief)

Notes

References

* * *

External links

2009-10-24)

* ttp://www.warbirdalley.com/l3.htm L-3 page at Warbird Alley
L-3 page at Museo Nacional Aeronáutico y del Espacio de Chile
{{USN glider aircraft Aeronca aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft High-wing aircraft 1930s United States civil utility aircraft 1940s United States civil utility aircraft Champion aircraft

Champion A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, a ...

L-03, Aeronca Aircraft first flown in 1937 fr:Aeronca 7 Champion fr:Aeronca 50 Chief fr:Aeronca K Scout fr:Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper ru:Aeronca 50 Chief ru:Aeronca K Scout ru:Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper ru:Aeronca Champion