• Source: Aeronca L

The Aeronca L is 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.




Design and construction


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. The design reflected the greater attention being paid to aerodynamics in the period, including large wheel spats for the fixed undercarriage and a Townend ring for the engine. 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.




Operational history


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.
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.




Variants


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
LC
Fitted with a 90 hp (67 kW) Warner Scarab Jr engine, 15 built
LCS
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




Surviving aircraft


The EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin has a 1937 Aeronca LC in its collection.
The Western Antique Aeroplane & 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.




Specifications (Model LC)


Data from American airplanes: AeroncaGeneral characteristics
Crew: 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
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






References



Taylor, J. H. (ed) (1989) Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. Studio Editions: London. p. 31
Holcomb's Aerodrome

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Cessna EC-2
• Aeronca L-3
• Aeronca L-16
• Aeronca L
• Aeronca Aircraft
• Aeronca Champion
• Aeronca Chief family
• Aeronca 50 Chief
• Piper J-3 Cub
• L3
• List of Korean War weapons