Photo ID: 1011463
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Model: Aeronca 7AC Champion |
Registration: NC82773 |
| Year: 1946 |
Serial Number: 7AC-1420 |
| Engine(s): Continental A65-8, 65-HP |
Owner: Marlin G. Horst &
Robert H. Leaman
Lancaster, PA |
Location: S37, Smoketown Airport
Smoketown, PA |
Photographer: Ken Stoltzfus |
| Date: November, 2003 |
Present Registration: Same |
Present Owner (FAA info): Same |
Notes: 9/24/04 - Pristine. Stock. Simple. Pretty. The way things used to be - - even to the paint colors and scheme.
Manufactured March 20, 1946, now over 58-years old, '773 is probably in better condition than most of its human contemporaries!
It is interesting to note that the initial Application for Airworthiness on this aircraft was submitted by Boulevard Airport, Inc., Philadelphia, instead of by Aeronca. See details on that and other history after the last photo. |
Photo ID: 1011464
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Notes: The Champ's distinctive cabin door, which swings down at an angle.
Some aircraft get around a lot. Even 7AC's. Note how N83725 has lived in Michigan, Alaska, and New England. Well, this little Champ never got far from home. It appears that all its life, NC82773 has been based within 100-miles of its present home! |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011465
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Notes: "Basic", wouldn't you say?! |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011466
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Notes: The Aeronca logo.
One concession from originality is the larger tailwheel. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011467
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Notes: Sitting pretty. The Champ wing interchanges with the Chief. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1011468
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Notes: The Sensenich wood prop ads to the "purist" nature of this little bird. It appears to have the original, mechanical brakes rather than hydraulic. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
History from FAA files, with my comments: 3/21/46, Statement of Conformity by Aeronca's Chief Engineer. Shows model and s/n but no registration; 3/21/46, Certificate of Transfer, Bill of Sale from Aeronca Aircraft Corporation, Middletown, OH to Boulevard Airport, Inc., Philadelphia, PA; 3/21/46, Application for Airworthiness by Boulevard Airport, Inc., Philadelphia, PA; 3/21/46, Operation Limitations shows empty weight of #757, gross #1220, date of manufacturer 3/20/46; 3/21/46 Application for Registration, Boulevard Airport, Inc., Aeronca 7AC, 7AC-1420, NC82773.
3/24/46 to Reading Aero Club, reading PA (Ben Bohrer, Grant Blimline, Orville Becker, Robert Guss, Clarence Arnold, Harold Resch, Harold Landis); 11/50 to James J. McHale, Port Carbon, PA; 3/51 to Felix E. Bartush, Orwigsburg, PA; 11/51 to Henry J Slonina or Marion E. Slonina, Orwigsburg, PA; 5/52, 879-hours TT at annual; 5/53, 935-TT at annual; 2/54 to Marlin Miller, Schuylkill Haven, PA; 5/54, 987-TT at annual; 6/55, 1027-TT at annual; 1/57 to James D. Rosemary, Wilmington, DE.
8/57, '337, recovered with Irish Linen, by John F. Steimer, a friend of our family; 4/58 to Lovett Airport, Inc., Newark, DE; 7/58 to DuPont Employees Flying Club, Wilmington, DE; 7/59, '337 on repairs because of "ground collision incurred damage". (Isn't that what most aircraft damage is caused by? :) It is signed off by a CAA Inspector who used to give my father a hard time. He's also the guy who gave me my Private Pilot check ride in the T-6G. Lots of memories in some of these aircraft records!
9/59 to T.P. Crigler and George M. Feist, Wilmington, DE; 3/63 to Glenn W. Mitchem, New Castle, DE for $400; 8/63 to George E. Fetters, Spring City, PA; 11/69 to Darwin L. Murphy, Hatboro, PA; 7/77, '337, aircraft completely rebuilt, recovered with Ceconite, installed large Maule tailwheel; 5/83 to Stephen E. Finestone, Landsdale, PA for $500; 6/85 to Marlin G. Horst and Robert H. Leaman, Lancaster, PA; 1/99, '337 on some major repairs. |
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