Photo ID: 1015052
click image to enlarge |
Model: Aeronca 65-C Chief |
Registration: NX22456 |
| Year: 1939 |
Serial Number: C-3739 |
| Engine(s): Continental A-65, 65-HP |
Owner: Thomas (Tommy) H. Smith ? |
| Location: Old Orchard Beach, Maine |
Photographer: Associated Press, from the collection of Ken Stoltzfus |
| Date: May, 1938 |
Present Registration: Aircraft destroyed |
Present Owner (FAA info): |
Notes: 9/25/04 - Here are two interesting old photos from my collection.
The Aeronca 65-C Chief was certificated under Aircraft Specification A-675. The "C" in the model indicates that it powered by a Continental engine, in this case an "up exhaust", A-65 of 65-HP. It has a gross weight of #1150 and a typical empty weight of #675.
These May 28, 1939 photos show Thomas "Tommy" H. Smith, of Los Angeles, just before he took off from Old Orchard Beach, ME, for London, England in NX22456. He had optimistically named his aircraft, "Baby Clipper".
Smith had three suction venturis on the aircraft, for his gyros. Note the tape around the landing gear to fuselage area, and on the pitot tube, for drag reduction. |
Photo ID: 1015053
click image to enlarge |
Notes: Associated Press information. Info at the very top, right corner indicates that this was in the "Daily" paper. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1015054
click image to enlarge |
Notes: NX22456 has a tail skid, and does not appear to have brakes. He had also streamlined the strut to wing area.
Info at http://www.geo-met.com/tommysmith/ says that "He was on what he referred to as a 'research flight' to prove that small, well-equipped aircraft like his could make the ocean crossing."
According to that site, Smith had 160-gallons of fuel instead of the normal 12-gallons. His takeoff weight was #1965 as compared to the normal #1150, making him 70% over gross. That would have been an interesting departure to watch! I've often flown "heavy" in spray operations, but never close to that! |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1015055
click image to enlarge |
Notes: Interesting comments from the Press of the day! |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
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www.FlyingHigher.net - Aeronca Aircraft
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