Aeronca K


The Aeronca Model K Scout is an American light airplane first marketed in 1937, and was the true successor to the popular C-2/C-3 line.

Design

In January 1937, Aeronca unveiled the Model K, a replacement for the company's popular C-3. While it was powered by the same Aeronca E-113 two-cylinder engine as the C-3, the Model K Scout was of more conventional appearance, eliminating the C-3's distinctive fuselage "bathtub", replacing the wire-braced wings used by the earlier aircraft with strut-braced wings and providing a fully enclosed cockpit seating two side-by-side. The fuselage had a welded steel-tube structure with fabric covering, while the wings had spruce spars and spruce and plywood ribs, which were fabric covered. The aircraft had a fixed tailwheel undercarriage, where the wheels could be replaced with skis for winter operation, while there was also a floatplane version. Dual controls were fitted.
Later in 1937, Aeronca unveiled a new version of the Model K powered by the 4-cylinder Continental A-40 engine, the Aeronca KC, while a similar version powered by the 4-cylinder Franklin 4AC-150 engine became the Aeronca CF. The availability of the more powerful Continental A-50 engine resulted in the Aeronca KCA. This was later developed into the slightly larger Aeronca 50 Chief. Small numbers of 50 hp Model Ks powered by Menasco M-50 flat-four engines and Franklin engines were also built.
A total of 357 Aeronca Model K Scouts were built.

Operational history

73 Model K were on the U.S. civil aircraft register in May 2009 and several examples are preserved in museums. The EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin has an example on display at its Pioneer Airport. N18877 is on display at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, CA.

Variants

  • Model K Scout - with Aeronca E-113C engine, with Aeronca E-113CB or CD engines and E-113CDB engines as options.
  • * Model KS Sea Scout - Seaplane version of K, with EDO floats.
  • Model KC - with Continental A-40 engine and modified undercarriage.
  • Model CF - Similar to KC but powered by Franklin 4AC-150 engine.
  • Model KCA - Modified KC with Continental A-50 engine.
  • Model KM - KC powered by Menasco M-50 flat-four engine.
  • Model KF - As CF but with Franklin 4AC-150 uprated to.

    Specifications