Identify the Aircraft

[Mackrick]

ERCO Ercoupe 415 ?

[Saracenman]

spot on Mackrick!

The Ercoupe contained many innovative design features that produced an aircraft that was safe, easy to fly, and certified by the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) as "characteristically incapable of spinning." The aircraft was designed by Fred E. Weick, a noted aeronautical engineer, who before coming to ERCO in 1936, worked for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The first experimental model of the Ercoupe was test flown at College Park airport in 1937. Construction of the production prototype was completed in 1939 and certification by the CAA was completed in 1940. The first Ercoupe, serial no. 1, was owned by George Brinckerhoff and flown at College Park Airport, and now belongs to the National Air and Space Museum.

Targeted at the non-professional pilot, the Ercoupe was also designed to be spin-proof with no dangerous stall characteristics. A placard, which was the first for any aircraft, was allowed to be placed proudly on the instrument panel reading: "This aircraft characteristically incapable of spinning." An elevator that could move upward and downward only a limited amount—13 degrees—plus automatic yaw correction, enabled the aircraft to actually fly itself out of a spin. Inexpensive to operate and maintain, the Ercoupe was able to fly into and out of small airfields, and its nose-wheel steering made taxiing almost like driving an automobile. The landing gear was also beefed up to allow for landing in a crabbed attitude in crosswinds since there were no rudder pedals to correct for runway alignment. When the main gear touched town, the side forces were absorbed and the nose would automatically swing forward to align the aircraft with the runway.

The two-seat ERCO Ercoupe 415 went on sale in 1940 but only 112 were delivered before World War II intervened, halting all civil aircraft production. By mid-1941, aluminum supplies were being diverted to war-related production, so ERCO decided to manufacture Ercoupes for military use by using wood as the principal building material. The substitution of wood resulted in a heavier Ercoupe, but the aircraft flew much more quietly because the wood absorbed vibrations from the engine and air flow. Ercoupes were flown during the war by the Civilian Pilot Training Program for flight instruction, and the Civil Air Patrol used them to patrol for German submarines.

fascinating machine

your go

[Mackrick]

Ok now for one closer to home

[Saracenman]

gotta be a DH Venom surely?

[Mackrick]

no

[Saracenman]

thought that would be a bit too obvious - hmmmm

struggling to find anything that looks right - i think I'll have to wait until Stevieboy gets it

[Mackrick]

you give in to easily SM think 1950's

[Saracenman]

oh really? it looks a little more modern than that..........will have to have another thunk

[Saracenman]

stumped mate

looks to be single engine, but i can't find anything from that era that has those rounded tail fins - any clues please Mackrick?

what nationality? I'm thinking French for some reason.........

[Mackrick]

Oui il est

[Saracenman]

thanks! still no nearer an answer though!

[Mackrick]

I wonder where our Forum spotter is bet he knows...

Well SM its not as big as it first appears ...

Another clue

[Saracenman]

[Stevieboy]

:|

[Saracenman]

go on then SB - put me out of my misery - I've drawn a complete blank

[Mackrick]

Not even from this SM

[Saracenman]

[Stevieboy]

Oh bum. I can't keep it in any longer.

SIPA S-200

[Saracenman]

SIPA S-200

[Mackrick]

Correct SB

Sm have a read http://www.machdiamonds.com/s200.html

[Saracenman]

blimey - i never knew Noddy owned an aeroplane!

it's not even big enough to get a bum-cheek in!

[Mackrick]

Well you bummed around trying to guess it ... SB had it within 2 minutes of me posting it and has been very patient waiting for you to guess it..

[Stevieboy]

Here's one that even SM will be able to get his bum into.

What is it?

[Saracenman]

guessing from the glazing that it must be something like the B-29 (was B short for 'bum'?)

[Stevieboy]

guessing from the glazing that it must be something like the B-29 (was B short for 'bum'?)

Not a B-29, B-50 or Tu-4.

What a bummer.