Aeronca 50 Chief
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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 Events January * January 1 ** The Constitution of Estonia#Third Constitution (de facto 1938–1940, de jure 1938–1992), new constitution of Estonia enters into force, which many consider to be the ending of the Era of Silence and the a ...
, powered by a 50-horsepower (37-kilowatt) Continental, Franklin or Lycoming engine. A 65-horsepower (48-kilowatt) Continental engine powered the Model 65 Super Chief, which was also built in a flight trainer version, the Model TC-65 Defender, with its rear seat positioned nine inches (23 centimeters) higher than the front for better visibility.


Variants

;Aeronca 50C Chief :(1938) An improved KCA with a wider cabin, 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 ...
. 248 built. The first light-plane to fly non-stop from
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, 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
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 *Aero ...
. 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
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 ...
. ;Aeronca 50TC :(1939) The first tandem Aeronca, introduced as competition for the Piper Cub, 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 ...
. 16 built. ;Aeronca 50TL Tandem :The 50TL 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 ...
. 33 built. ;Aeronca 60TF :(1940) Essentially the same as the50TC, 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 *Aero ...
conferring slightly increased performance. ;Aeronca 60TL Tandem : 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 ...
. 118 built for the USAAF as the O-58B, 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 ...
. ;Aeronca 65C Chief :(1938) 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 ...
. 279 were built, many of which were impressed by the USAAF as O-58/L-3s in 1942. ;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
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 ...
. 87 built. ;Aeronca 65LB Super Chief :(1940) 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 ...
. 199 built. ;Aeronca 65TC Tandem :(1940) 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 ...
. 112 built. ;Aeronca 65TAC Defender :Tandem seating for military training, 154 built. ;Aeronca 65TF Tandem :1940) 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 *Aero ...
, 59 built. ;Aeronca 65TAF Defender :115 built. ;Aeronca 65TL Tandem :(1940) 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 ...
. 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.


Specifications (Model 50-C Chief)


See also

*
Aeronca Chief family 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 ...


References

* {{aeronca 1930s United States civil utility aircraft Aeronca aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft High-wing aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1938