K-Series

The first of the Chief series was the K, introduced in 1937. It was an out growth of the C series that was beginning to be considered as an obsolete design. Customers were wanting more comfort such as ease of entry, more cabin comfort and modernized design. A new strut braced wing eliminated the flying wires utilized on the C series. It had a 36 ft. wing span and 169sq.ft of wing area, held a total of two people and had an empty weight of 744lbs with a gross weight of 1040lbs. With the Clark Y airfoil on a 50” Chord provided a 95mph cruise speed.

Still powered by the Aeronca engine an E-113C of40 HP and later models of up to 45 HP, a new high wing design was issued. It was standard with a single, right hand, door but could be fitted with an optional, left hand, door. It better fit the customer requirements with a standard high wing design with taller landing gear with a scissor link for securing the lower landing gear leg oleo. A streamlined tie wire connected the two gear legs that eliminated the need for separate axle struts, sometimes called a “grasscutter”. The main landing gear was a 3” Balloon style wheels with a 16X7-3 tires. The cabin was limited to 37” in width making it a close fit for two adults. Built under TCDS A-634.

KC

The Aeronca K Series continued with the introduction of improved designs. The engine selections were expanded as many engine manufacturers were wanting to utilize their engines on the successful Aeronca aircraft. The designations of the aircraft were still letters, with the first letter being the Airframe series and the second letter being the engine manufacturer. It included the following;

KC- 40HP Continental A40-4 TCDS- A-655

KF- 50HP Franklin 4AC-150 Series 50 TCDS A-688

KM- 50HP Menasco Pirate M-50. TCDS A-676

CF- 50HP Franklin 4AC-150 Series 40 Appears to be an export model for all Countries except Canada and Australia under TCDS A-655. Same as KC.

These aircraft continued to use the 50” narrow chord wing with the Clark Y airfoil that lends itself to the higher cruise speeds.

KCA

This was the last in the line of letter designations for the Chief. Built in 1938 it used the new Continental A-50-1 engine. This engine was the foundation for one of the most successful engine types of the late 1930’s and 1940’s.

The KCA continued to widen the cabin area, a continued theme throughout the Chief line, for added occupant comfort.

The wing span was the same as the earlier Chief models (36 feet) but the wing chord was increased to 56” inches, with the continued use of the Clark Y airfoil.

The KCA was one of the last Chief designs to use the open cowling, subsequent models were of the “tunnel style”.

This model shares the same TCDS as many of the later, Continental powered models. (TCDS A-675).