Aero-Craft Aero-Coupe

The Aero-Craft Aero-Coupe is an American, 2-passenger, semi-cabin, all-purpose, commercial biplane that was designed by Captain Clement Brown in 1928 and manufactured by Aero-Craft Manufacturing Company. The aircraft was intended for use as an air taxi, as well as for mail and express feeder service.[2] The Aero-Coupe was manufactured by Aero-Craft Manufacturing Company, based in Detroit, Michigan.[3] Aero-Craft Mfg. Co. was founded in 1928, and the Aero-Coupe was the first production model that was released by the company.[4] The Aero-Coupe was a "semi-cabin" aircraft: the three passengers were situated within a closed cabin in the aircraft's fuselage near the nose, while the aircraft's single pilot was positioned in an open cockpit, above and behind the passenger cabin, behind the wings.[5] The aircraft was first introduced to the public in 1928 during the Detroit Aero Show, also known as the All-American Aircraft Show, which occurred from April 14–21. Its price, as mentioned in Volume 20 of Flight International, was $6500, when it was first exhibited to the public.[6] It was powered by a single, seven-cylinder Warner Scarab rotary engine, which provided 120 hp. The aircraft had a range of 740 kilometres, and was capable of flying as fast as 185 km/h. The wings were of unequal span.[4]

Aero-Craft Aero-Coupe
Role Biplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Aero-Craft Manufacturing Company
Designer Clement Brown
Introduction 1928 Detroit Aero Show[1]

Specifications

Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928[7]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 2 passengers
  • Length: 7.32 m (24 ft 0 in)
  • Upper wingspan: 9.76 m (32 ft 0 in)
  • Lower wingspan: 8.54 m (28 ft 0 in)
  • Height: 2.59 m (8 ft 6 in)
  • Empty weight: 499 kg (1,100 lb)
  • Gross weight: 953 kg (2,100 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 40 US gal (33 imp gal; 150 L) in two centre-section tanks; 4 US gal (3.3 imp gal; 15 L) oil in engine mount tank
  • Powerplant: 1 × Warner Scarab 7-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 82 kW (110 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 185 km/h (115 mph, 100 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 160 km/h (100 mph, 87 kn)
  • Stall speed: 61 km/h (38 mph, 33 kn)
  • Range: 970 km (600 mi, 520 nmi) "cruising radius"
  • Service ceiling: 3,700 m (12,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 4.6 m/s (900 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 41 kg/m2 (8.4 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.054 hp/lb (0.089 kW/kg)

References
  1. Mondey, David (1978). The complete illustrated encyclopedia of the world's aircraft. A & W Publishers. p. 67.
  2. Aero-Craft Manufacturing Company, Inc. (1928). Aero-coupe semi-cabin biplane, intended for air taxi, mail & express feeder service.
  3. Gunston, Bill (1993). World encyclopaedia of aircraft manufacturers: from the pioneers to the present day. Naval Institute Press. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-55750-939-0.
  4. Jane, Frederick Thomas, ed. (1928). "Jane's all the world's aircraft". 1928. Franklin Watts. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. Pauley, Robert F. (2009). Michigan Aircraft Manufacturers. Arcadia Publishing. p. 67. ISBN 978-0-7385-5218-7.
  6. "Flught International". 20. IPC Transport Press, Ltd. 1928. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. Grey, C.G., ed. (1928). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. p. 193c.
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