Aircraft Quiz #79

DougRobertson

Once upon a time there was a certificated production aircraft, only 71 of which were ever built, that was powered by a 60 horsepower engine.

1. Make?

2a. Model nomenclature?, and 2b. Name?

3a. Engine manufacturer?, and 3b. Number of cylinders?

4. Years of manufacture?

5. Reason for stopping manufacture of this exact aircraft?

I do not believe there were any different aircraft than the quiz aircraft that would fully meet the quiz requirements.

SunvisorFlyer

I think the 60 hp engine is the sticking point here.

I'm finding that a lot of certified aircraft used a 50 or 65 hp engine while newer 60 hp engines are used on LSA or kit aircraft... Hmm...

DougRobertson

Thank you. I agree, and that's exactly why I formulated the quiz.

The eventual correct answers may surprise

DougRobertson

With over 500 views and no right answers, here are the answers.

1. Bellanca Aircraft Corp. of Alexandria, MN.

2a. Bellanca 7ACA, 2b. "The Champ."

3a. Franklin Engine Corp., 3b. Two cylinders opposed, air cooled as Franklin 2A-120B of 60 Hp.

4. 1970-1972. (Edited to correct stop date).

5. Franklin stopped manufacture/availability of this 60 Hp two-cylinder engine. Only 71 Bellanca 7ACAs were built.

The Bellanca 7ACA "The Champ" sold for $4,995. It had a modified cowl and squared-off side windows with tandem seats for two. The oleo-strut main gear of the Champion 7AC model was replaced by steel legs on the Bellanca 7ACA. It was a slow seller and many voiced skepticism at the time re the engine chosen and limited performance with two FAA standard 170 pound occupants.

Franklin engines were built over the years from 1936 by seven different manufacturers, including odd ownership by the F. W. Woolworth Company around 1945, better know as a nickel and dime notions store in my youth. Present owner of Franklin motors is PZL-Franklin of Poland who resurrected the 60 hp two-cylinder air-cooled design as the 2A-120-C around 1980. I thank all who were stumped by this quiz.