Monocoupe 90
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| Monocoupe 90 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Light Trainer and Racer |
| Manufacturer | Monocoupe |
| Designed by | Don A. Luscombe |
| Maiden flight | April 1, 1927 |
| Introduced | 1928 |
| Primary users | Civil Aviation USAAF |
| Number built | greater than 1000 |
The Monocoupe 90 was a two seat, light cabin airplane built by Don A. Luscombe for Central States Aare Inc..[1] The first Monocoupe (Model 5) was built in an abandoned church in Davenport, Iowa, and first flew on April 1, 1927.[2] Various models were in production until the late 1940s.
Contents |
[edit] 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 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.[1] The fuselage framework was built up of welded steel tubing in a rigid truss form, heavily faired to shape with dural metal sheet formers and wooden fairing strips. The wings were built up of solid spruce spars with wing ribs of basswood webs and spruce cap-strips. The leading edges were covered with dural metal sheet and the entire framework was covered in fabric.[3]
The aircraft was powered originally by either a 60 hp (45 kW) Anzani engine or the unsuccessful 65 hp (48 kW) Detroit Air Cat radial.[1] The Model 22 was the first light aircraft awarded an Aircraft Type Certificate (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.[2]
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 (67kW) Lambert R-266 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 engine. The Model 90AL had Avco Lycoming engines. The Model 90J was introduced in 1930 with a 90 hp (67 kW) Warner Scarab Jr engine. The final two high performance Monocoupe models were the Model 110 with a 110 hp (82 kW) Warner Scarab, and the Model 125 with a 125-hp (93 kW) Kinner B-5 engine. The Monocoupe 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.[1]
In 1941 Monocoupe combined with three other companies to form Universal Molded Products Corp. 19 Model 90AFs were delivered to the USAAF who designated them the Universal L-7, and used them in France.[4][5] Aircraft production halted during World War II, resuming briefly in 1948-1950 under the name Monocoupe Airplane and Engine Corp.[6]
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 engine.[1]
[edit] Variants
- Monocoupe Model 5
- prototype
- Monocoupe Model 22
- 60 hp (45 kW) Anzani engine or 65 hp (48 kW) Detroit Air Cat radial.[1]
- Monocoupe Model 70
- Velie M-5 62 hp (46 kW) five-cylinder radial engine[2]
- Monocoupe Model 113
- revised landing gear and a number of improvements[1]
- Monocoupe Monoprep
- dedicated trainer similar to the Monocoupe 113[1]
- Mnocoupe Monosport Model 1
- air racing model, had a 110-hp (82 kW) Warner Scarab seven-cylinder radial engine[1]
- Monocoupe Monosport Model 2
- air racing model, had a 100-hp (75 kW) Kinner K-5 radial engine[1]
- Monocoupe Model 90
- longer wider fuselage[1]
- Monocoupe Model 90A
- 90 hp (67kW) Lambert R-266 radial engine[1]
- Monocoupe 90 DeLuxe
- trailing edge flaps, wheel speed fairings and an improved engine cowling[1]
- Monocoupe Model 90AF
- 115 hp (86 kW) Franklin engine[1]
- Monocoupe Model 90AL
- Avco Lycoming engine[1]
- Monocoupe Model 90AW
- with 145hp Warner engine, Wing Span 32 ft. Length 20 ft. 5.75 in.[3]
- Monocoupe Model 110
- 110 hp (82 kW) Warner Scarab engine[1]
- Monocoupe Model 125
- 125-hp (93 kW) Kinner B-5 engine[1]
- Universal L-7
- military version of the Model 90AF[4][5]
- Monocoupe D-145
- 145 hp (108 kW) Warner Super Scarab engine.[1]
[edit] Specifications (Model 90)
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.76 m)
- Height: 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
- Empty weight: 973 lb (441 kg)
- Loaded weight: 1,490 lb (676 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Lambert R-266 radial engine, 90 hp (67 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 100 knots (115 mph, 185 km/h)
- Range: 470 nm (540 miles, 869 km)
- Service ceiling 15,000 ft (4,573 m)
- Power/mass: 0.06 hp/lb (0.10 kW/kg)
[edit] References
- Bell, Dana ed. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Directory of Airplanes their Designers and Manufacturers. Stackpole Books Mechanicsburg, PA, 2002. ISBN 1853674907.
- Eden, Paul and Moeng, Soph, eds. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.
- Fahey, James C. U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. Ships and Aircraft, Falls Church, VA. 1946.
- Swanborough, F. G. and Bowers, Peter M.United States Military Aircraft Since 1909. Putnam New York, 1964. ISBN 085177816X.
[edit] External links
- Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Airplane Collection
- Aerofiles
- National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
- fiddlersgreen.net
[edit] See also
Related development
- Monocoach Model 201
- Monocoach Model 275
Comparable aircraft
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