Name that plane!

I also recall something about the coupled aileron and rudder controls. IIRC the ones with the coupling system had no rudder pedals.
Regarding constructors I was not aware of Erco but I did know about Alon and Forney(sp?) and thought they were the only constructors, so this thread has broadened my knowledge of the type which was basic to say the least.
I must admit I’ve always considered it an attractive machine, just a pity there aren’t more of them over here.
Sorry folks, I’ve just re-invented the wheel haven’t I? I’ve just noticed one of the earlier posts mentions the lack of rudder pedals in the ones with coupled controls. As far as I’m aware all the Forney ones were built with conventional control systems.

Yes, I don’t know which versions but the Ercoupe was designed with a coupled rudder/aileron control which made it ‘easier to fly’. If you look in the cockpit of one you will see only one pedal which is the brake. Many have either been retrofitted or built with full controls as crosswind landings can be ‘interesting’ with the rudder-pedalless version.

Edit: see here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:1946_Ercoupe_Advertisment_in_Skyways.JPG

I flew them at Bodmin Airfield back in the ’70’s. I well remember the CFI sternly warning me about the close proximity of the carb-heat and the mixture levers. Apparently a student pilot had pulled the mixture to lean rather than carb heat to hot on the base leg, and deposited them into the ‘shiggy’ as we say in Cornwall.

Didn’t at least some of them have some sort of coupling arrangement between aileron and rudder?

SoG

Here’s one at the airfield that I live on. Took this picture from my garden.

Not what I meant….I figured it would be answered fast…just not that fast. Should have started with a pic of just a rudder! Guess it is a much more popular AC on your side of the pond. First one I had seen.

Question..in some places, I am seeing it listed as an Aircoupe as opposed to a Ercoupe. Any difference?

I think they’re quite popular here too, just not enough of them. You’re possibly too young to remember them but I remember seeing one or two. Admittedly I would have been in my early teens at the most the last time I saw one though now I am more likely to see one as I take an interest of what’s about a lot more than I used to.

Found an interesting footnote on the Ercoupe, it was the first aircraft in the US to try rocket assisted take-off in 1941, Cut it’s take-off roll in half! Bet THAT was quite a ride!! Here is a link to a pic of that adventure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:NASA_GPN-2000-001538.jpg

I’m rather partial to the Mooney version, the fairly rare M-10 Cadet with the single “backward” slope tail.

I’d agree the one pictured is a later version because it has a slide-back canopy…as opposed to the slide-down windows of earlier versions.

Ercoupe or not Ercoupe?

😀

Lovely looking machine. I’ve also seen both Aircoupe and Ercoupe used – that maybe something to do with the different companies that produced the design (how many were there beside Alon?).

I suspect it has a following this side of the pond as it’s looks fought off the resistance to American “spam-cans” (Cessnas and Pipers) that invaded our shore/killed off our light aircraft industry in the 1960s.

Roger Smith.

According to my favourite source ‘THE ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEADIA OF AIRCRAFT’ the aircraft was designed by the Engineering and Research Corporation founded in 1930! First constructed in 1937! All construction of the Ercoupe was stopped by the outbreak of WW2.
After the end of the war a further 6000 were made under the names Aircoupe, Ercoupe and Fornair! All rights were acquired by a new company Alon Inc. on the last day of 1963, their new all metal version was first flown on 24 October 1964 and marketed as the Alon Model A-2 Aircoupe which could use the original two-! Or three – control system. It was in production until Alon merged with Mooney Aircraft Inc. in 1967.
It was around for a long time, in fact as Chris’s photo proves is still going strong. I first knew about the Ercoupe from a KEIL KRAFT balsa and paper flying model in the early fifties.Ray 😀

Did some more digging. It looks like the Alon (American built) versions were called Aircoupes with a number of design changes from the earlier European Erco built Ercoupe versions.

There are differences between the Aircoupe and the Ercoupe……engine something to do with baggage and maybe a change to the wing…can’t say exactly what, but they are different although essentially similar

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ercoupe#Mooney_A2-A_and_M-10_Cadet

Suggest taking a look here,its quite a story regarding names & manufacturers.
It also says it is the only certified tri gear aircraft that comes within the new
American sport pilot regulations and that makes me wonder if there may soon be
another manufacturer to add to the list.

Lovely looking machine. I’ve also seen both Aircoupe and Ercoupe used – that maybe something to do with the different companies that produced the design (how many were there beside Alon?).

I suspect it has a following this side of the pond as it’s looks fought off the resistance to American “spam-cans” (Cessnas and Pipers) that invaded our shore/killed off our light aircraft industry in the 1960s.

Roger Smith.

Not what I meant….I figured it would be answered fast…just not that fast. Should have started with a pic of just a rudder! Guess it is a much more popular AC on your side of the pond. First one I had seen.

Question..in some places, I am seeing it listed as an Aircoupe as opposed to a Ercoupe. Any difference?

Too fast….Alon A2 …..

So are you saying an Alon A2 is not an Ercoupe ? :confused:

Roger Smith.

The entire tail is in brand new skin with no paint yet. Don’t know what kind of damage had been done, but the repair looks nice

http://www.ercoupe.net/N6372V.html

Too fast….Alon A2, N6372v, a 1965 model, out of Plant City FL, Shot a Lakeland Linder Airport.

Think it is the first one of those I had seen, at least up close!

I guess it is 415D N2332H. Anyone confirm?

Ercoupe

It’s an Ercoupe – although I don’t which make!

Roger Smith.