Aeronca 11 Chief - Variants

Variants

Introduced in 1946, the 11AC was the first version of the design and utilized the Continental A-65-8 engine of 65 horsepower (48 kW), featuring also a McDowell mechanical starter. This McDowell starter was taken from the automotive industry and involved a spring-loaded cam device that would spin the propeller through a compression stroke by a pull on a lever mounted on the cabin floor. The S11AC was a float plane. Also, Aeronca built a basic stripped-down version of the 11AC called the "Scout," a trainer aircraft. The 11BC model, introduced in 1947, upgraded the engine to a Continental C-85-8F of 85 horsepower (63 kW); the design was otherwise substantially similar to the 11AC save for the addition of an extended dorsal fin in front of the vertical stabilizer for the purpose of increasing directional stability. The 11CC "Super Chief" of 1948 brought an upgraded interior, toe brakes on the pilot’s side, and balanced elevators.

In 1973 Bellanca built and flew a prototype trainer based on the model 11. The Bellanca Trainer featured a tricycle landing gear arrangement and appeared to share many parts with the 7ECA Citabria (a derivative of the Champ design). The Bellanca trainer's cowling, wings and struts, main gear, and horizontal tail surfaces all appeared to have come from the Citabria. The vertical stabilizer and rudder appeared similar, though shorter vertically in the prototype. They were extended to full size after flight testing. The fuselage of the trainer featured a rear window. The cabin had a taller modernized instrument panel and other furnishings. The design was never put into production after being shown to dealers in 1973.