The Monocoupe 90 was a two-seat, light cabin airplane built by
Donald A. Luscombe for
Monocoupe Aircraft
Monocoupe Aircraft was a manufacturer of light airplanes originally produced in the late 1920s and 30s.Richard Harris"Monocoupe: Speed for the Common Man" ''AAHS Journal,'' Vol. 56, No. 4 (Winter 2011), American Aviation Historical Society They in ...
.
[Eden and Moeng 2002 p. 993] The first Monocoupe (Model 5) was built in an abandoned church in
Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is a city in and the county seat of Scott County, Iowa, United States. Located along the Mississippi River on the eastern border of the state, it is the largest of the Quad Cities, a metropolitan area with a population of 384,324 and a ...
, and first flew on April 1, 1927.
[Virginia Aviation Museum](_blank)
accessed 30 September 2007 Various models were in production until the late 1940s.
Development
The ''Monocoupes'' were side-by-side two-seat lightplanes of mixed wood and steel-tube basic construction with fabric covering. A braced high-wing
monoplane
A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple planes.
A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing confi ...
with fixed tailskid landing gear, and the reverse curve rear fuselage lines that were to become one of the signature identifier features of the Monocoupes.
The fuselage framework was built up of welded steel tubing in a rigid, triangular-framed
Warren truss
Warren Errol Truss, (born 8 October 1948) is a former Australian politician who served as the 16th Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development in the Abbott Government and the Turnbull Governm ...
form for the side panel structures, heavily faired to shape with
dural
Dural is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia 36 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government areas of Hornsby Shire and The Hills Shire. Dural is part of the Hills District ...
metal sheet formers and wooden fairing strips. The wings were built up of solid
spruce
A spruce is a tree of the genus ''Picea'' (), a genus of about 35 species of coniferous evergreen trees in the family Pinaceae, found in the northern temperate and boreal (taiga) regions of the Earth. ''Picea'' is the sole genus in the subfami ...
spars with wing ribs of
basswood
''Tilia americana'' is a species of tree in the family Malvaceae, native to eastern North America, from southeast Manitoba east to New Brunswick, southwest to northeast Oklahoma, southeast to South Carolina, and west along the Niobrara River to ...
webs and spruce cap-strips. The leading edges were covered with dural metal sheet and the entire framework was covered in fabric.
[Airventure Museum](_blank)
accessed 2 October 2007
The aircraft was powered originally by either a 60 hp (45 kW)
Anzani
Anzani was an engine manufacturer founded by the Italian Alessandro Anzani (1877–1956), which produced proprietary engines for aircraft, cars, boats, and motorcycles in factories in Britain, France and Italy.
Overview
From his native Italy, An ...
engine or the unsuccessful 65 hp (48 kW)
Detroit Air-Cat radial.
The Model 22 was the first light aircraft awarded a
type certificate
A type certificate signifies the airworthiness of a particular category of aircraft, according to its manufacturing design (''type design''). It confirms that the aircraft of a new type intended for serial production, is in compliance with applica ...
(number 22) and in 1930 it was fitted with the
Velie M-5 62 hp (46 kW) five-cylinder radial engine to become the Model 70.
In 1930 Monocoupe introduced the Model 90 with refined lines and a fuselage that was slightly longer and wider, this being sold in Model 90 and Model 90A versions with a 90 hp (67 kW)
Lambert R-266
Lambert may refer to
People
*Lambert (name), a given name and surname
* Lambert, Bishop of Ostia (c. 1036–1130), became Pope Honorius II
*Lambert, Margrave of Tuscany ( fl. 929–931), also count and duke of Lucca
*Lambert (pianist), stage-name ...
radial engine. The Monocoupe 90 DeLuxe introduced trailing edge flaps, wheel speed fairings and an improved engine cowling. The Model 90AF was fitted with a 115 hp (86 kW)
Franklin
Franklin may refer to:
People
* Franklin (given name)
* Franklin (surname)
* Franklin (class), a member of a historical English social class
Places Australia
* Franklin, Tasmania, a township
* Division of Franklin, federal electoral d ...
engine. The Model 90AL had
Avco Lycoming
Lycoming Engines is a major American manufacturer of aircraft engines. With a factory in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Lycoming produces a line of horizontally opposed, air-cooled, four, six and eight-cylinder engines including the only FAA-certi ...
engines. The Model 90J was introduced in 1930 with a 90 hp (67 kW)
Warner Scarab Jr
The Warner Scarab Junior was an American, five-cylinder, air-cooled, radial aero engine first produced in 1930. It was a scaled-down derivative of the seven-cylinder Warner Scarab, developing 90 hp (70 kW) against the Scarab's 110&nbs ...
engine.
The final two high performance Monocoupe models developed from the Model 90 were the Model 110 with a 110 hp (82 kW)
Warner Scarab
The Warner Scarab is an American seven-cylinder radial aircraft engine, that was manufactured by the Warner Aircraft Corporation of Detroit, Michigan in 1928 through to the early 1940s. In military service the engine was designated R-420.
Vari ...
, and the Model 125 with a 125 hp (93 kW)
Kinner B-5
The Kinner B-5 was a popular five cylinder American radial engine for light general and sport aircraft of the 1930s.
Design and development
The B-5 was a development of the earlier K-5 with slightly greater power and dimensions. The main change ...
engine. The
Monocoupe 110 Special
The Monocoupe 110 Special was a United States sporting and racing aircraft of the 1930s and 1940s.
Development
The Monocoupe 110 was developed from the Monocoupe 90 using the higher-powered 110 h.p. Warner Scarab radial engine housed in a cow ...
was a clipped wing racing aircraft. The
Monocoupe
Monocoupe Aircraft was a manufacturer of light airplanes originally produced in the late 1920s and 30s.Richard Harris"Monocoupe: Speed for the Common Man" ''AAHS Journal,'' Vol. 56, No. 4 (Winter 2011), American Aviation Historical Society They i ...
Model 70V of 1932, had the low-powered 65 hp (48-kW)
Velie M-5 engine reintroduced to provide more economical operation at the cost of a fall in performance.
In 1941 ''Monocoupe'' combined with three other companies to form
Universal Molded Products Corp. 20 Model 90AFs were bought by the
USAAF
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 ...
, who designated them the Universal L-7, for transfer to the
Free French Forces
__NOTOC__
The French Liberation Army (french: Armée française de la Libération or AFL) was the reunified French Army that arose from the merging of the Armée d'Afrique with the prior Free French Forces (french: Forces françaises libres, l ...
. One was lost during delivery.
[Fanatique de l'aviation n°370]
Aircraft production halted during World War II, resuming briefly in 1948-1950 under the name
Monocoupe Airplane and Engine Corporation.
[Bell, 2002, p. 207]
The last of this remarkable line of two-seat aircraft was the Monocoupe D-145 of 1934, a high-performance version with a slightly enlarged cabin and powered by a 145 hp (108 kW)
Warner Super Scarab
The Warner Scarab is an American seven-cylinder radial aircraft engine, that was manufactured by the Warner Aircraft Corporation of Detroit, Michigan in 1928 through to the early 1940s. In military service the engine was designated R-420.
Var ...
engine.
Variants
;Monocoupe Model 5: prototype
;
Monocoupe Model 22: 60 hp (45 kW)
Anzani
Anzani was an engine manufacturer founded by the Italian Alessandro Anzani (1877–1956), which produced proprietary engines for aircraft, cars, boats, and motorcycles in factories in Britain, France and Italy.
Overview
From his native Italy, An ...
engine or 65 hp (48 kW)
Detroit Air Cat
Detroit ( , ; , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the Canada–United States border, United States–Canada border, and the County seat, seat of gov ...
radial.
;
Monocoupe Model 70:
Velie M-5 62 hp (46 kW) five-cylinder radial engine
;Monocoupe Model 113: revised landing gear and a number of improvements
;Monocoupe Monoprep: dedicated trainer similar to the Monocoupe 113
;Monocoupe Monosport Model 1: air racing model, had a 110 hp (82 kW) Warner Scarab seven-cylinder radial engine
;Monocoupe Monosport Model 2: air racing model, had a 100 hp (75 kW)
Kinner K-5
The Kinner K-5 was a popular engine for light general and sport aircraft developed by Winfield B. 'Bert' Kinner. With the boom in civilian aviation after Charles Lindbergh's transatlantic flight the K-5 sold well. The K-5 was a rough running but ...
radial engine
;Monocoupe Model 90: longer wider fuselage
;Monocoupe Model 90A: 90 hp (67 kW)
Lambert R-266
Lambert may refer to
People
*Lambert (name), a given name and surname
* Lambert, Bishop of Ostia (c. 1036–1130), became Pope Honorius II
*Lambert, Margrave of Tuscany ( fl. 929–931), also count and duke of Lucca
*Lambert (pianist), stage-name ...
radial engine
;Monocoupe 90 DeLuxe: trailing edge flaps, wheel speed fairings and an improved engine cowling
;Monocoupe Model 90AF: 115 hp (86 kW)
Franklin
Franklin may refer to:
People
* Franklin (given name)
* Franklin (surname)
* Franklin (class), a member of a historical English social class
Places Australia
* Franklin, Tasmania, a township
* Division of Franklin, federal electoral d ...
engine
;Monocoupe Model 90AL:
Avco Lycoming
Lycoming Engines is a major American manufacturer of aircraft engines. With a factory in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Lycoming produces a line of horizontally opposed, air-cooled, four, six and eight-cylinder engines including the only FAA-certi ...
engine
;Monocoupe Model 90AW: with 145 hp Warner engine, Wing Span 32 ft. Length 20 ft. 5.75 in.
;Monocoupe Model 110: 110 hp (82 kW)
Warner Scarab
The Warner Scarab is an American seven-cylinder radial aircraft engine, that was manufactured by the Warner Aircraft Corporation of Detroit, Michigan in 1928 through to the early 1940s. In military service the engine was designated R-420.
Vari ...
engine
;
Monocoupe Model 110 Special: racing model, 110 hp (82 kW)
Warner Scarab
The Warner Scarab is an American seven-cylinder radial aircraft engine, that was manufactured by the Warner Aircraft Corporation of Detroit, Michigan in 1928 through to the early 1940s. In military service the engine was designated R-420.
Vari ...
engine, shorter span
;Monocoupe Model 125: 125 hp (93 kW)
Kinner B-5
The Kinner B-5 was a popular five cylinder American radial engine for light general and sport aircraft of the 1930s.
Design and development
The B-5 was a development of the earlier K-5 with slightly greater power and dimensions. The main change ...
engine
;Universal L-7: military version of the Model 90AF.
[U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946]
;Monocoupe D-145: 145 hp (108 kW)
Warner Super Scarab
The Warner Scarab is an American seven-cylinder radial aircraft engine, that was manufactured by the Warner Aircraft Corporation of Detroit, Michigan in 1928 through to the early 1940s. In military service the engine was designated R-420.
Var ...
engine.
Operators
The majority of the Monocoupe 90s to be built were sold to and flown by private pilot owners.
;
*
Spanish Republican Air Force - Monocoupe 90 A
;
*
Free French Forces
__NOTOC__
The French Liberation Army (french: Armée française de la Libération or AFL) was the reunified French Army that arose from the merging of the Armée d'Afrique with the prior Free French Forces (french: Forces françaises libres, l ...
, later
Armée de l'Air
The French Air and Space Force (AAE) (french: Armée de l'air et de l'espace, ) is the air and space force of the French Armed Forces. It was the first military aviation force in history, formed in 1909 as the , a service arm of the French Arm ...
- Monocoupe 90 AF
19 delivered early 1943 by sea to Abu Sweir,
Egypt
Egypt ( ar, مصر , ), officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, is a transcontinental country spanning the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia via a land bridge formed by the Sinai Peninsula. It is bordered by the Mediter ...
, to be reassembled by
RAF
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...
MU 109.
Main delivery to create a flying school (GE 11) in Rayack,
Syria
Syria ( ar, سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, translit=Sūriyā), officially the Syrian Arab Republic ( ar, الجمهورية العربية السورية, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a Western Asian country loc ...
, opening September 1, 1943. The Monocoupe 90 was too sensitive to be used for basic training and many accidents occurred until school disbandment January 4, 1944.
One aircraft survived the war and remained on the French civil register until written-off in 1962.
[Fanatique de l'aviation n°371]
5 aircraft delivered to
Madagascar
Madagascar (; mg, Madagasikara, ), officially the Republic of Madagascar ( mg, Repoblikan'i Madagasikara, links=no, ; french: République de Madagascar), is an island country in the Indian Ocean, approximately off the coast of East Africa ...
in early September 1943 and operated by ''Escadrille d'Avions Sanitaires et de Liaison'' (EASL = Liaison and Medical Flight) based at Ivato.
EASL became ''Escadrille de Liaison et de Commandement'' (ELC) on January 1, 1944, then SAL-51 and last SLA-50. The last two Monocoupes were sold to local aéro-club in 1948.
Specifications (Model 90A)
See also
References
;Notes
;Bibliography
* Bell, Dana ed. ''The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Directory of Airplanes their Designers and Manufacturers''. Stackpole Books Mechanicsburg, PA, 2002. .
* Eden, Paul and Moeng, Soph, eds. ''The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft''. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. .
*
Fahey, James C. ''U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946''. Ships and Aircraft, Falls Church, VA. 1946.
* Simpson, Rod. ''Airlife's World Aircraft'', Airlife Publishing, 2001.
"Specifications of American Airplanes" ''
Aviation
Aviation includes the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. ''Aircraft'' includes fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air craft such as hot air ...
'', March 1936, Vol. 35, no. 3. pp. 82–85. Registration required
* Swanborough, F. G. and Bowers, Peter M.''United States Military Aircraft Since 1909''. Putnam New York, 1964. .
*
*
External links
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome's Monocoupe 90
{{USAF liaison aircraft
1930s United States civil utility aircraft
Single-engined tractor aircraft
High-wing aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1927
Luscombe aircraft
Monocoupe utility aircraft