National Association - National Aeronca Association

National
4th Quarter 2014
Volume 13, No 4
Association
Magazine
Volume 13, Issue 4
Fourth Quarter 2014
President’s Message
Special points of interest:
OSHKOSH—The Greatest Show
On Earth!
• Post Oshkosh EAA Convention Coverage
Oshkosh is an amazing event. If you’ve never
been, you need to do so at least once. I’m sure
you’ll find a way to make it there again! Only
the second time you’ll vow to finally get around
to see everything. I am usually quite the optimist, but when it comes to Oshkosh, my advice
to first timers is to accept that you just can’t see
it all. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a
lot of fun trying!
• Aeronca on Display—
EAA Museum, Oshkosh,
WI
• Member Spotlight
NAA Newsletter
• Newsletters will be
posted Quarterly on the
NAA Website at aeroncapilots.com
• Future issues will highlight historical photos,
advertisements and restoration projects by our
members.
• The desire is to create a
format where information, stories and pictures
can be shared that can
compliment the NAA
Discussion Group.
• Articles, photos, suggestions, questions and comments are welcomed.
• Technical/Drawing requests can be made at
anytime through the
“Discussion Groups” on
the NAA Website.
Drawings e-mailed at no
charge.
Cover Photo
• Duane Jones restored his 7-AC,
dedicating it to the memory of
his father, Rodney. Who was a
longtime Member and supporter
of the NAA. It was recognized
at Oshkosh 2013.
NAA Trophy winners always do well when they
hit Oshkosh. The Grand Champion 11-AC from
Middletown took home the award for Outstanding Aeronca Chief. Superb!!!
There have been many Aeronca Grand Champions over the years. Ray Johnson has his 11-AC
there every year. Jim Thompson’s 15-AC, the
last Aeronca Built, won in the 80’s. It’s nice to
see the talents of some dedicated folks recognized. Most of the work is done by just regular
people that don’t have Fort Knox at their disposal. After all, they’re Aeronca owners.
I’ve been very impressed over the years at the
efforts and talents of Aeronca Owners. Not to
mention the ingenuity to keep these things flying
over the years.
Several things have made it easier to maintain/
restore a plane today, compared to 20 years
ago. We have the internet. So questions get
answered much quicker. The making of contacts at events like Middletown and Oshkosh
was the only way to find the pockets of help and
information. That was where you would get the
OSHKOSH
2014
Right
• Another View of Duane’s
Champ at Middletown. Nothing
prettier than a Champ on Grass!
aeroncapilots.com
list of addresses
to track down
info via snail
mail. Many of us
inherited this
treasure trove
of info that came with projects over the years.
We also didn’t have a majority of the drawings
available in just a few clicks of the mouse.
Of course, not every plane needed to be a perfect 10 back in the day. FAA guidance was a
little different. And many of our planes had
some revisions that gave them their own character and personality. If a Pre-War had a Post
War Cowling, well that was just to make it functional and safe to fly. There’s 100’s of examples
of things that were done like that. And our
planes survived.
With entities like Univair, Wag Aero and Don
Jones and David Rude, there are now more
good parts and options out there that allow us
to better bring our planes back to “Original”
configuration. So more planes now are being
restored back to factory fresh.
I, for one, really love to see these new planes
that just landed from a time machine. But, I also
have a fond affection for the colorful working
planes of my youth. My first ‘plane was a 39
Chief that was just done through silver with no
headliner and a Post War cowl. Perfect for a 23
year old.
So let’s celebrate the hard work required for
these amazing restorations, but let’s not forget
the inner beauty of all Aeroncas.
Aeronca Aircraft at Oshkosh 2014
Page 3
Oshkosh 2014 was impressive
as always!!!
Every Oshkosh is different, because you
never know exactly what you’re going
to see or who you’re going to meet.
Show up with your highest expectations
and you not be let down.
Although this is not an Aeronca exclusive event (I just thought I should acknowledge that there were a few other
airplanes there that were not made by
Aeronca). There is certainly a lot of information to pick up. We had people at the booth
the whole week. Bill Pancake, Vintage Hall of
Fame Member, graciously spent many hours
talking to folks that came by.
Traditionally, on the years that we have the
Middletown Convention, the number of
Aeronca Aircraft is a little bit down for Oshkosh.
But we did have some beautiful planes
there. I want to acknowledge that the 11AC Chief that won the Grand Champion
Trophy at Middletown, was the
“Outstanding Aeronca Chief’” at Oshkosh.
This is a really nice Chief that Warren
Wilkey should be very proud of. I’m
grateful that he brought it to Middletown,
despite the weather, to share with us.
The Grand Champion—Post War Trophy Winner from Middletown
was the
Outstanding Aeronca Chief at Oshkosh
Page 4
Volume 13, Issue 4
Oshkosh 2014
A very well done Champ. The
Stenciled N Numbers and Logo are
very nicely done.
It’s interesting to compare the original
to the latest version from American
Champion Aircraft.
The New Champ from ACA
What a Good Looking Plane!
aeroncapilots.com
Page 5
Oshkosh 2014
This 15-AC Sedan is a
wonderful example of just
how far Aeronca designs had
evolved since 1929.
Tall Logo
Done right!
Oshkosh 2014
Nice of Ray to share space
with the Vega!
Volume 13, Issue 4
Page 7
Oshkosh 2014
aeroncapilots.com
Arlington 2014
Perfect Pair. This is what it’s all about.
Mark Peterson’s 11-AC is one of the best, most accurate restorations.
This flies regularly and is the star of many you tube videos.
Craig MacVeigh’s C-2N is based at Arlington. This flew at Middletown 2012.
Volume 13, Issue 4
Member Spotlight—Chuck Burtch
Renaissance Man
Chuck trying out the nose of a TG-5 Glider.
Chuck’s story is like a lot of ours. He loved airplanes as far back as he can remember. He built
more models than he can count. He loves everything about aviation, but he has a real affection for
planes built by Aeronca.
His first flight was in a Fleet biplane (Fleet , like
Aeronca, is also now part of Magellan Aerospace).
His love of planes followed him into the Navy as a
Tin-Bender. He pays tribute to VF-31, by painting
a “Felix the Cat” Squadron emblem on just about
everything he owns. He is not just a talented machinist, but he is also a skilled artist. If anyone has
ever seen the blueprints for the Baby Lakes, you’ve
seen his artistic drafting work.
Chuck lives on a small
airstrip in rural Phoenix NY. So he keeps
his Champ and a few
projects in his backyard hangar.
This is a working
Champ. It flies often.
And it is no stranger
to operating on skis.
This 7AC won’t win
Oshkosh, but you have
to love the charm and
grit of a well maintained working girl.
countless kids. Many of whom are now
Aviation Professionals, Home builders
or Pilots.
Chuck is deeply involved with a Multi–
EAA Chapter Project to make a TG-5
Training Glider that will be displayed in
the EAA Museum in Oshkosh. Chuck
is doing the wings in NY and the fuselage is being done on the west coast.
He’s proud of his Lifetime EAA Membership. He’s active in at
least 2 EAA Chapters.
And then there is his 30
years sharing Aviation
with youngsters. And the
ink is still wet on his new
IA Inspector Certificate.
Basically, he’s living the life
of Aviation that we all
secretly wish for. And he
does it very well.
If you make it to Oshkosh
in 2015, you’ll find him,
Instructing in the fine art of
building TG-5 ribs, in the
“Tin Bending” - making
homebuilders building.
Spark Plug Holders at EAA
Stop in and say Hi. Don’t
Air Academy.
be surprised when he puts
you to work!
Chuck is very devoted
to promoting aviation.
For over 30 years, he
has been an Instructor at the EAA Air Academy.
His efforts have taught aircraft building skills to
Donor Wings for the EAA
Museum’s TG-5 Project.
Custom Cuff Chuck
made to clean up the
forward Lift Strut
Baby Lakes (note Felix on the side)
Now on display at Mohawk Community College in
Utica, NY
Beware Chuck!
You’re known by the company you keep!
Page 10
Volume 13, Issue 4
Aeronca Aircraft On Display
EAA Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Part 1)
The EAA Museum has a very good collection of Aeronca Aircraft and Engines. All of their examples are of the significant early models.
To do justice to this collection, it will be continued in the next Newsletter.
The oldest Aeronca in the collection is currently displayed in the main museum hall. This
is a C-2N, NC13089. This is Serial Number
A253, born on 26 May 1933. When it was first
sold to the Ithaca Flying Service, NY, it was a
model C-2 and it had a E-107 (27 HP) engine.
This airframe was one of the last C-2s made.
Starting with Serial Number A106, the fuselages
were wider. In November 1935, Benjamin King
refitted the plane with a big E-113A Engine of
37 HP. He did this “To try for International
Light Plane Speed Records”. Because this airframe had the wider fuselage, it could be converted to a model C-2N. The up-grade covered the engine change along with the installation of a heavier rudder bar (yes-rudder bar)
and control stick.
The plane was then NR13089 (R for Racing and
exhibition). And Benjamin King and others set
a bunch of altitude, speed and endurance records. This plane was also use by the NACA
for testing at Langley field. It just happened that
the NACA engineer was a guy named Jean
Roche, the designer of the C-2.
The plane also wore NX13089. And it was
fitted with floats for certain records. So it is
also a Model PC-2N (P for Pontoon).
This is one of three C-2N airplanes left. NC11417 is on display in Richmond, VA. That airframe started as a Model C-1, Clipped
Wing Sport plane. But it was converted to a C-2N with longer wings before being sold. (more of this plane in the future) The third
C-2N is NC11276, owned by Craig MacVeigh and flown at the 2014 Middletown Convention. That airframe, like NC13089, started
life as a C-2. None of the C-2N aircraft sold, started out as one.
This view shows the
High Aspect Ratio Wings.
The Instrument Panel has been reworked.
At what point in it’s 80+ years, is unclear.
Volume 13, Issue 4
Page
Page
11 11
NC13089 in the Main Hall
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The Improved Rudder Bar.
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Rudder Shape is was used on late C-2, C-2N and the C1.
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Page12
12
Volume 13, Issue 4
Aeronca Aircraft On Display
EAA Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin (Part 1)
The next Aeronca is a 1937 Model K. NC19723, Serial Number K-244. This is a flawless restoration that was done several years ago
by the one man who knew the Aeronca K, probably better than anyone since it came out of the factory. That was Tom Trainor.
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Perfect Nose Bowl
Caption describing
picture or graphic.
He restored this to be not just a pretty
bookend, but as a good flyable example
of this significant step in Civil Aviation.
Unfortunately, as with many large collection of aircraft, not every thing can
be kept in flying status. So this has not
flown in many years.
The interior is beautifully done. The
headliner is, perhaps the most accurate
of any Pre-War Cabin. The Instrument
Panel is also very nicely done.
The Engine installation is perfect. Tom
Trainor knew the E-113 engine like the
back of his hand. At one point he had
the largest stock of NOS Aeronca Engines/Parts. Another perfect feature of
this plane is the lower nose bowl. Not
a flaw. The original “Boeing Fasteners” (they pre-date Dzus Fasteners) are
in place where they were installed at
Lunken Airport.
The landing gear, with wheel pants are
beautiful. And the tailskid, with the
inner spring in the tailpost, is intact. A
tailwheel has been attached to facilitate
ground handling. Tom had intended to
make this easy to operate from any
surface.
A good view of the E-113 Engine showing the integral ribbed oil sump
Page 13
The large Tachometer with the Oil Temperature /
Pressure gages was used on the later K Models
through the 65-C/L Pre-War Chiefs
The Head-Liner is done as
it should be!
Tail Skid Modified
with a tail wheel
Main Gear with
Wheel Pants
Aeronca Aircraft On Display
EAA Museum, Oshkosh, Wisconsin - To Be Continued
Page 14
From the Archives
Volume 13, Issue 4
2 Full Page Ad for the 7-AC Champ—With Color!
Aeronca K on Skies
Page 15
From the Archives
Factory Magazine Ad of the
Big Engine, 90 HP Aeronca
Low Wing Model LC.
I think I see Flash Gordon
and Dr. Zarkov in the
cockpit.
Aeronca C-3 on a card that
came from a pack of
“Player’s” Cigarettes.
Front
Back
E-113 From Sales Brochure
From an early C-2 Ad
It talks about how far
you can glide with a
Dead Stick from an
altitude of 16,500 ft.
Maybe that’s the
preferred altitude
when you have 27HP
and a very
unpressurized cockpit.
This a very early KCA. That’s an A-50
Continental with short stack exhaust. The
KCA was the Model after the KC/KF. And it
was followed by the planes we now call PreWar Chiefs, KM/50C/50L/50F.
aeroncapilots.com
Next Issue: Tribute to
John Houser
Special Thanks to UNIVAIR for over 3 decades of support of the NAA
National Aeronca Association
10563 Milton Carlisle Rd
New Carlisle, OH 45344-9251
Next Issue:
• Tribute to John Houser
- A Source of Inspiration and Knowledge to
the Aeronca Family
• Aeronca Aircraft on
Display—EAA Museum
Continued.
CHAMPS vs Cubs
Lee Bottom Flying Field
is the place to be
September 18 –20
• Member Spotlight
• From the Archives—
http://www.leebottom.com/FLY%20IN%20information.html