X626N, A Golden Oldie-Aeronautical Corporation of America (Aeronca) C-2

The Aeronautical Corporation of America (Aeronca) in Cincinnati built two versions of the  C-2  aircraft based on the Roche-Dohse monoplanes of 1926, the C-2 and the C-2 Deluxe. The C-2 first flew in 1928 with an Aeronca-designed two cylinder opposed air-cooled E-107A engine of 106.9 cubic inches displacement with 26 horsepower in the Aeronca C-2 and the E-113A of 113.5 cubic inches  displacement boasting 36 horsepower in the Aeronca C-2 Deluxe version. The C-2 first flew in 1928 and was entered in the Los Angeles air races in October, 1929. X626N is a restored museum exhibit photographed by me on 12 July 1979 at The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The engine is unknown between the two possibilities of Aeronca's own designs, and the X626N marking on the tail area reflects the time-contemporary United States of America aircraft registration/marking system original to this restored C-2 aircraft

This historic C-2 aircraft represents the first truly light aircraft model to be manufactured in quantity, and was produced for several years with a production run of one hundred and twelve aircraft by Aeronca in Cincinnati. The high wing is braced with wires and has two spruce spars with fabric covering. The fuselage is fabric-covered steel tube welded structure of triangular "razor-back" cross section with pylon over wing. The frontal cross-section  area is minimal with little drag and the aircraft performed remarkably well with low horsepower.

The next Aeronca model was the C-3 Collegian of side-by-side seating for two with improved, uprated 40 horsepower E-113-C engine and the Aeronca C-3 Master with fully enclosed cabin, also with 40 horsepower. The C-2s and the C-3s all were of the same dimensions and quite similar appearance, but differing in empty and gross weights and in performance.  Collegians dominated light aircraft flying in 1932-1933. Two hundred and five were built.  The C-3 Master achieved more light plane records than any other aircraft in its class. Two hundred and ninety C-3 Masters were built by Aeronca in America,  plus 24 in England. Total C-2 and C-3 production added to 631 aircraft, if  math and sources are correct, not bad in the Great Depression era.

Please click on the top photo to see the X626N Aircraft Profile page. (Ignore the dummy parachutist of an unrelated exhibit).

Specifications: C-2 (C-2 Deluxe in parentheses)

Engine: Aeronca E-107A (E-113A)                                                         

Horsepower: 26 (36)

Length: 20' 0"

Height: 7' 10"

Wingspan: 36' 0"

Wing area: 142.2 sq. ft.

Wing loading: 4.92 lbs/sq. ft. (6.505 lbs./sq. ft.)

Power loading: 26.9 lbs./Hp (25.69 lbs./Hp)

Weight empty: 426 lbs. (503 lbs.)

Weight loaded: 700 lbs. (925 lbs.)

Performance: 

Max speed: 75 mph (93 mph)

Cruise speed: 60 mph (80 mph)

Initial rate of climb: 450 ft./min. (520 ft./min.)

Range: 200 miles (175 miles)

C-2 price FAF: $1,695

C-3 Collegian price FAF: $1,895

C-3 Master price FAF: $1,890

(The X626N Aircraft Profile page incorrectly lists the 26 Hp engine as the E-113A)

These photos were taken with one of my 35mm Chinon CE-3 Memotron SLRs with Auto-Chinon MCM 55 mm F1.7 lens, aperature preferred automatic shutter speed unrecorded. Aircraft exhibit was in a space-restricted area. Print photos were later scanned into my PC.