Aeronca 7AC 5600 has been restored for flight in Italy

The distinctive brightly painted Aeronca is likely to be flying in the near future, following a superb restoration at Italy’s Roma Tokyo Hangar Museum located in Thiene, Vicenza.

7AC 5600 was originally built in Middletown, Ohio, in October 1946. In more recent years it has been refurbished by Francesco Gravina and his father Emanuele Gravina, under the supervision of the Club Aviazione Popolare (Italian Experimental Association).

The eye-catching machine is fitted with a 65hp Continental A-65 engine, and test flights will get under way as soon as all the relevant paperwork is completed. The Aeronca joins the collection of the museum, which also includes a Stinson L5, a couple of Macchi MB308s, a Pietenpol Air Camper and other aircraft currently under restoration. With thanks to Francesco Gravina