ERCO Ercoupe - Variants

Variants

ERCO 310

Appearing in 1937 this 2-seat low wing monoplane was the origin of the Ercoupe dynasty, powered by a 40 hp (30 kW) Continental A-40.

ERCO 415-A Ercoupe

ERCO 415-B Ercoupe

Initial production aircraft powered by 65 hp (48 kW) ERCO IL-116 engines. The -A and -B suffixes were used for some aircraft though the company official records use only the -C suffix. 10 aircraft built 1939-1940

Wooden Ercoupe

Two aircraft were built using Birch and plywood in 1941 to demonstrate use of non-strategic materials, but no further aircraft were built and the test articles were scrapped.

ERCO 415-C Ercoupe

Production continued after the war in 1945, powered by 65 hp (48 kW) Continental A-65-8 engines. Aircraft were offered with either conventional three control sysyem (roll, pitch and yaw) or the Ercoupe special two control system (pitch and roll with automatic rudder linked to the ailerons). Aircraft with the 2-control system were powered by 75 hp (56 kW) Continental C-75 engines. One ercoupe was built in 1946 with a retractable undercarriage but no production followed.

ERCO 415-C/D Ercoupe

Aircraft produced in 1947 powered by the 75 hp (56 kW) Continental C-75 with the 9° elevator up-travel restriction of the 415-D removed but with the option of reverting to -D specification.

ERCO 415-D Ercoupe

From 1947, further refinement introduced a 9° elevator up-travel restriction, stainless steel front fuselage skin, larger baggage area and optional crosswind steerable main undercarriage, lights, radio, electric starter and generator), powered by the 75 hp (56 kW) Continental C-75. One ERCO 415-D was modified under a Supplemental Type Certificate to fit a 108 hp (81 kW) Lycoming O-235-C2C powerplant.

ERCO 415-E Ercoupe

ERCO 415-F Ercoupe

From 1948 the -E, powered by an 85 hp (63 kW) Continental C-85, introduced split elevators with 20° up-elevator travel. 415-F aircraft had fuel injection.

ERCO 415-G Ercoupe

Also known as the Clubair, the 1949 model was powered by an 85 hp (63 kW) Continental C-85 and featured deLuxe interior with generator, starter, lights, radio, larger baggage area, bubble windshield, and Kiddy-Seat.

ERCO 415-H Ercoupe

Seven aircraft built in 1949 powered by 75 hp (56 kW) Continental C-75 engines with no electrical systems.

ERCO O-55

ERCO PQ-13

In 1941 the US Army Air Corps (USAAC) planned use of the Ercoupe as an aerial target. Similar to the pre-war 415-C, but powered by 145 hp (108 kW) Continental O-300 engines. Three were built, initially designated as as the ERCO YO-55, fitted with Continental YO-170-3 engines, delivered to the USAAC from 26 February 1941.

ERCO Twin Ercoupe

in 1948 J. B. Collie of Southeast Air Service produced a Twin Ercoupe by joining two Ercoupe fuselages with a new centre section, similar to the North American P-82 Twin Mustang, for use in airshows by Thrasher Brothers Air Circus, Elberton GA. Flown by Grady Thrasher and his brother, who rolled, looped, and spun it. The aircraft had a smoke system for each engine, and could be flown from either cockpit.

Forney F-1 Aircoupe

The Fornaire Aircraft Co. continued development of the ERCO Ercoupe 415-G, as the F-1 Aircoupe powered by a 90 hp (67 kW) Continental C-90-12F They also built the Forney F1A that had standard three axis controls, to be sold as a basic trainer.

New Aircoupe

The rights to the Aircoupe passed from Fornaire, via the Carlsbad civil government, to Air Products Co. which marketed the air craft as the New Aircoupe. In 1962 the rights were passed on to Alon.

Alon A2 Aircoupe

After acquiring the rights to the Forney Aircoupe (aka Ercoupe) Alon Inc modernised the Ercoupe with a new panel and sliding canopy. Fitting a 90hp Continental C-90.

Alon X-A4 Aircoupe

A four-seater development of the Ercoupe powered by a 150 hp (112 kW) Lycoming O-320-A, first flown on 25 February 1966, but with no further production.

Mooney M10 Cadet

A single-tailed version of the Alon Aircoupe, powered by a 90 hp (67 kW) Continental C-90-16F, aka Mooney-Coupe, with 59 aircraft built.

Bryan Autoplane

Leland D. Bryan built a series of roadable aircraft using an Ercoupe fuselage, calling this line the Bryan Autoplane. Significant modifications included a double-articulated folding wing mechanism and a pusher engine. It still retained Ercoupe features, such as the twin tail and the center section. The first flight was in 1953, and the model II flew 65 hours. The Model III with a single wing-fold mechanism crashed in 1974, killing Bryan.

Lasher Little Thumper

C. W. Lasher built and flew a single-seat open-cockpit taildragger aircraft called "Little Thumper", using an Ercoupe center section and wing assembly and an Aeronca Champ aft fuselage.