The Aeronca L was a 1930s American cabin monoplane designed and built, in small numbers, by Aeronca Aircraft. It differed significantly from other Aeronca planes by the use of radial engines, streamlining, and a cantilever low wing.[1][2]
Quite unlike other Aeronca designs, the Model L was a "cantilever" (no external struts for bracing) low-wing monoplane, that featured side-by-side seating in a completely enclosed cabin.[1][2] The design reflected the greater attention being paid to aerodynamics in the period, including large wheel spats for the fixed undercarriage[1] and a Townend ring for the engine.[3] The aircraft was of mixed-construction with a welded steel fuselage and wings with spruce spars and ribs, all covered with fabric.
Initial attempts to use Aeronca's own engines proved inadequate, and the company turned to small radial engines from other suppliers, particularly neighboring Cincinnati engine manufacturer LeBlond.[1][2]
Operational historyedit
The Model L was mainly flown by private pilot owners. The plane was not a big seller. Difficulty with engine sources, and a destructive flood, in 1937, at Aeronca's factory at Cincinnati's Lunken Airport, took the energy out of the program, and Aeronca went back to high-wing light aircraft.[1][2]
With the end of sales to Aeronca, LeBlond sold their engine-manufacturing operation to an Aeronca-rival planemaker, Kansas City-based Rearwin Aircraft, who resumed production of the engines under the brand name "Ken-Royce," largely for use in Rearwin planes.[1][2]
Variantsedit
LA
Fitted with a 70 hp (52 kW) LeBlond 5DE engine, 9 built
LB
Fitted with an 85 hp (63 kW) LeBlond 5DF engine, 29 built
A single LC, [NC16289], was fitted with floats to become the LCS, carrying a load of 659 lb (299 kg) for 450 mi (391 nmi; 724 km) at 100 mph (87 kn; 161 km/h).
LD
Fitted with a 90 hp (67 kW) Lambert R-266 5-cyl. radial engine
^ abcde Harris, Richard, "Aeronca/Champion History: Beyond the Bathtub -- Chiefs, Champs & Citabrias," from articles first appearing in In Flight USA, 2003-2004, condensed on author's website, retrieved Jan. 31, 2016.
^ ab. Archived from the original on 16 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
^Eckland, K.O. "American airplanes: Aeronca". aerofiles.com. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
^Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
Referencesedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aeronca L.
Taylor, J. H. (ed) (1989) Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions: London. p. 31
Holcomb's Aerodrome
May 08, 2024
aeronca, 1930s, american, cabin, monoplane, designed, built, small, numbers, aeronca, aircraft, differed, significantly, from, other, aeronca, planes, radial, engines, streamlining, cantilever, wing, role, cabin, monoplane, national, origin, united, states, am. The Aeronca L was a 1930s American cabin monoplane designed and built in small numbers by Aeronca Aircraft It differed significantly from other Aeronca planes by the use of radial engines streamlining and a cantilever low wing 1 2 Aeronca L An Aeronca LB Role Cabin monoplane National origin United States of America Manufacturer Aeronca Aircraft Introduction 1935 Primary user Private pilot owners Number built 65 Contents 1 Design and construction 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Surviving aircraft 5 Specifications Model LC 6 Notes 7 ReferencesDesign and construction editQuite unlike other Aeronca designs the Model L was a cantilever no external struts for bracing low wing monoplane that featured side by side seating in a completely enclosed cabin 1 2 The design reflected the greater attention being paid to aerodynamics in the period including large wheel spats for the fixed undercarriage 1 and a Townend ring for the engine 3 The aircraft was of mixed construction with a welded steel fuselage and wings with spruce spars and ribs all covered with fabric Initial attempts to use Aeronca s own engines proved inadequate and the company turned to small radial engines from other suppliers particularly neighboring Cincinnati engine manufacturer LeBlond 1 2 Operational history editThe Model L was mainly flown by private pilot owners The plane was not a big seller Difficulty with engine sources and a destructive flood in 1937 at Aeronca s factory at Cincinnati s Lunken Airport took the energy out of the program and Aeronca went back to high wing light aircraft 1 2 With the end of sales to Aeronca LeBlond sold their engine manufacturing operation to an Aeronca rival planemaker Kansas City based Rearwin Aircraft who resumed production of the engines under the brand name Ken Royce largely for use in Rearwin planes 1 2 Variants editLA Fitted with a 70 hp 52 kW LeBlond 5DE engine 9 built LB Fitted with an 85 hp 63 kW LeBlond 5DF engine 29 built LC Fitted with a 90 hp 67 kW Warner Scarab Jr engine 15 builtLCS A single LC NC16289 was fitted with floats to become the LCS carrying a load of 659 lb 299 kg for 450 mi 391 nmi 724 km at 100 mph 87 kn 161 km h dd LD Fitted with a 90 hp 67 kW Lambert R 266 5 cyl radial engineSurviving aircraft editThe EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh Wisconsin has a 1937 Aeronca LC in its collection 3 The Western Antique Aeroplane amp Automobile Museum of Hood River Oregon has an airworthy Aeronica LC Aeronca LB N16271 was in final stages of restoration as of January of 2015 Aeronca LC NC17442 cn 2056 is also on display in the museum 4 Specifications Model LC editData from American airplanes Aeronca 5 General characteristicsCrew 1 Capacity 1 passenger 646 lb 293 kg payload Length 22 ft 6 in 6 86 m Wingspan 36 ft 11 m Height 7 ft 2 1 m Wing area 150 sq ft 14 m2 Airfoil root NACA 2218 tip NACA 2209 6 Empty weight 1 034 lb 469 kg Max takeoff weight 1 852 lb 840 kg Powerplant 1 Warner Scarab Junior 5 cylinder air cooled radial piston engine 90 hp 67 kW Propellers 2 bladed fixed pitch propeller Performance Maximum speed 123 mph 198 km h 107 kn Cruise speed 105 mph 169 km h 91 kn Stall speed 45 mph 72 km h 39 kn Range 535 mi 861 km 465 nmi Notes edit a b c d e f Harris Richard Aeronca Birth of the Personal Plane Archived 2016 01 15 at the Wayback Machine AAHS Journal Summer 2007 vol 52 2 American Aviation Historical Society a b c d e Harris Richard Aeronca Champion History Beyond the Bathtub Chiefs Champs amp Citabrias from articles first appearing in In Flight USA 2003 2004 condensed on author s website retrieved Jan 31 2016 a b Aeronca LC Archived from the original on 16 March 2011 Retrieved 20 March 2011 Aeronca LC Retrieved 9 October 2012 Eckland K O American airplanes Aeronca aerofiles com Retrieved 20 November 2020 Lednicer David The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage m selig ae illinois edu Retrieved 16 April 2019 References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aeronca L Taylor J H ed 1989 Jane s Encyclopedia of Aviation Studio Editions London p 31 Holcomb s Aerodrome Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Aeronca L amp oldid 1168703572, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
