Aeronca C-3

Aeronca, contracted from Aeronautical Corporation of America, located in Middletown, Ohio, is a US-manufacturer of engine components and airframe structures for commercial aviation and the defense industry. In the 1930s and 1940s, the company was a major producer of general aviation aircraft, and also produced the engines for some of their early designs. Aeronca has now become a division of Magellan Aerospace, producing aircraft, missile, and space vehicle components at the same location adjacent to Middletown’s Hook Field.

The two-seat Aeronca C-3 was dubbed the “flying bathtub” because of its unusual fuselage shape. Following the successful C-2 Scout model, the C-3 Collegian was marketed as an all-weather convertible, with removable door and fold-down window. The Collegian, inexpensive to own and operate, was popular with sportsman pilots and required only 70 feet of runway to take off. Approximately 400 were produced.

The E-113C engine used on this aircraft has a single magneto ignition system. Later, Aeronca E-113CBD engines featured dual magnetos as required by the new safety standards of 1938. The engine consumes about three gallons of gas per hour at cruising speed (85% power). The fuselage is fabric-covered welded steel tubing and the wings are fabric-covered spruce.

It has dual control wheels. The Duplex was the open cockpit configuration and sold for $1,730; the Collegian was the enclosed version and sold for $1,790. For 1936, all C-3s were built with enclosed cockpits.  Built by the Aeronautical Corp. of America at Lunken Airport, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Engine:   Aeronca

Horsepower:   36 HP

Quantity Mfg:   Unknown

Wingspan:   36'-0" 

Length:  20'-0"

Top Speed:   80mph 

Gross Weight:   875 lb 

Ceiling:   14,000'

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Click HERE for a detailed info PDF file on this aircraft