| Registration | G-EGHB | Current Reg. Date | 07/08/2001 |
| Previous Id | N3414G | First Reg. Date | 01/09/1995 |
| Status | Registered | De-Reg. Date |
| Mnfr | ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH CORPORATION |
| Type | ERCOUPE 415-D |
| S/N | 1876 |
| Popular | ERCOUPE |
| Generic | 415 |
| Class | FIXED-WING LANDPLANE | Engs | 1 x CONTINENTAL MOTORS CORP O-200-A |
| MTOW | 635kg | Total Hours | 3370 | Year Built | 1946 |
| CofA Category |
PRIVATE | CofA Expiry | 29/08/2009 |
Type History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This aircraft type was designed in the middle 1930's by Fred Weick. It was created to overcome many perceived problems with the other
aircraft of that time: Stall/Spin avoidance No nose over accidents Easy ground handling Reasonable speed Economical ownership and operation Fred worked at NACA (predecessor of the National Air and Space Administration, NASA). His contributions were in the area of propeller and cowl design. His work on cowling lead to improvements in the efficiency of radial engines by reducing the drag of such engines. While at NACA, Fred assembled a test aircraft with some of his colleagues. The plane had a high wing and tri-cycle landing gear. Its single engine made for "economical ... operation," while the tri-cycle undercarriage overcame "nose over accidents." Using that plane, a two-control system was developed that avoided "stall/spin" problems. The plane was improved and eventually purchased by the NACA for experimentation. The name "Ercoupe" came from the Engineering and Research COrporation. It is not known who came up with the "upe," but it remains one of the most recognized aeroplanes to this day. Low wings, bubble canopy and twin tails are its' hallmarks. The first flights were in 1937. The design was finalised and the plane was first produced in 1940. One hundred and twelve aircraft were made and sold before the Second World War stopped production in 1941. During the war, these `coupes served with distinction. They were used by the US Civilian Air Patrol (CAP) to look for German submarines off the coast and other missions. They were also used in the Civilian Pilot Training Program for flight instruction. By being able to solo students in less time than other planes, the Ercoupe hastened pilots into combat. One mission that the Ercoupe performed was Rocket Assisted Take Off tests. Rockets were attached to the bottom of a 'coupe, and lit! Many tests were run: Rockets assisting a regular take off with the motor running Rocket take off without the engine Towed take offs, where the pilot held a rope to get up to speed, then fired the rocket! For more on Rocket Assisted Take Offs, see the Smithsonian Air and Space magazine for November, 1995. The name of the article is "Runways of Fire." The Second World War had stopped civil aircraft production. All the aluminium had gone into war production by mid-1941. ERCO tried to produce Ercoupes, turning to wood as a main building material. The wooden 'coupes were a little heavier, but flew a lot quieter because the wood absorbed the vibration of the engine and air flow. ERCO contributed to the war effort by producing the machines that made aircraft. Punchers, riveters and other machinery, streamed off of their production lines. They made gun turret parts and other structures as well. By the end of 1944, ERCO and all the other aircraft firms, were starting on their post war plans. It was felt that all the returning pilots, trained at tax payer expense, would provide excellent customers for all the planes that Beech, Cessna, Piper, and ERCO would have to sell. Right after the War, many aeroplanes competed for attention. Some, like the Piper Cub and the Taylorcraft, were pre-war designs. Beech, Cessna, and all the other aircraft manufacturers produced many planes, which soon saturated the market. At one point, in 1946, ERCO was running three shifts. But by September of that year, it was all over. The market for aeroplanes dived so badly that the owners decided to leave the business. They cited the "fickle customer." Remember that throughout the war years, everything that they produced found a ready buyer! The inventory was sold to Saunders in 1947, who continued to sell aeroplanes from the stock until 1950. With the end of 1946, the bottom fell out of the civil aircraft market. Most of the manufacturers died off right away. Grand names like Luscombe, Swift and Taylorcraft were among them. The few that were left fought for the small interest that remained. The Ercoupe design moved from manufacturer to manufacturer and around the country. From the original home in College Park, Maryland, it went to Loveland, Colorado and Carlsbad, New Mexico. Variants of the design were made until 1970. Univair, of Golden, Colo., now owns the design and has most of the parts needed to keep these fine aeroplanes flying. The manufactured by year figures tell the story:
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| The Ercoupe has been moved from its "Shackleton shelter" closer to the museum to enable some remedial work to be carried out. As can be seen from the pictures below it was moved in between some very heavy rain showers. It is hoped that that the aircraft will be fully serviceable in the next couple of weeks. |  |
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While the cockpit cover was removed and the cockpit open it provided an excellent opportunity to take this picture of the neat and surprisingly modern looking cockpit. Even more surprising when you consider that this airframe was built in 1946, it is in fact the oldest exhibit in the museum and was the only one airworthy! |
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Latest Info November 2005
This aircraft has been dismantled and will be repaired by Airwork Ltd, Rochester, Kent. Airwork will carry out outstanding repairs to the aircraft to enable the Certificate of Airworthiness to be renewed. Once this has been completed it may return to flying regularly. The base of operations has yet to be decided. |
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Further Information September 2007 Following the successful completion of outstanding repairs and the issue of a new Certificate of Airworthiness in early 2007 the aircraft was ferried to Redhill in Surrey. During the summer of 2007 it was available for hire and flew from Redhill. | |
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In mid-September it was returned to Rochester for a possible annual, this depends upon the possibility of a
group interest in flying it from Rochester. Should no interest be expresssed and it cannot be flown
regularly from Rochester (or anywhere else) it will be returned to the Museum and will become a static exhibit. Update: March 2008 The Ercoupe has been taken on by a local (Rochester) organisation and is now flying with them. |