Cowlings for 65C

[skot7ac]

Hi all,

I was wondering at what point Aeronca switched from the open to the closed cowl on the early Chiefs. Also, it seems like I can recall someone in California that was making cowlings, any info out there?

Thanks,

Scott

[Paul Agaliotis]

Scott,
I believe the Chief got a closed cowl in late '38 when the 50C came along. I have a 1938 Chief (KCA) that should have an open cowl. Mine was changed to an A65 with a closed cowl in the 50's.
I don't know of anyone here in No.Cal. that has started building cowls.
Paul

[Clive]

Didn't all the Chiefs after the KCA get a closed cowl? My 65C, originally a 50C, built in Oct '38 has one, and there is an even earlier Chief around here (restored by my late friend John Hause) that has the original up-exhaust closed cowl.

The cowlings and nose bowls seemed to change several times during the life of the pre-war Chief. The early cowls were very tight, with the top part wrapping around at the sides underneath the cylinders to meet the bottom part. Then the later Super Chiefs got a different nose bowl and a smoother, more full looking cowl.

It would be nice to have a list of the chronological changes to the pre-war Chiefs. Maybe there is one but I haven't seen it. Changes to the cowlings and nose bowls, for a start, and the change to the windshield (from flat curved to blown), the wing root fairings, the doors and the lift struts (from aluminum to steel), the addition of rear side windows, the panel, etc etc.

[MikeB]

Friend of mine has a very nice 38 (??) Chief with up exhaust. Pretty original, large tach, etc. He's had it for sale at $20,000 for some time but no takers yet. If I wasn't already deep into my L16 project I'd be interested if for no other reason than possible future investment.

MikeB

[Clive]

Friend of mine has a very nice 38 (??) Chief with up exhaust. Pretty original, large tach, etc. He's had it for sale at $20,000 for some time but no takers yet. If I wasn't already deep into my L16 project I'd be interested if for no other reason than possible future investment.

MikeB

The '38 I mentioned above was for sale in S Ontario for quite a while at $24k, then $20k and eventually I believe it was sold. It was fully restored a few years ago by the late John Hause of Kitchener, one of the local Tiger Boys (who also rebuilt mine). It's all red with no rear side windows, big tach and the cowl was properly re-done as original with slots. I flew it once and it was very smooth. Certainly a bargain for someone.

[skot7ac]

I wonder if there was an option on the cowlings at the time of purchase. We have NC23925 a '39 65C and I have an old ad from a magazine that has NC23910 with an open cowl along with 3 more that way.

Also, seems like the person mentioned that made the cowl was in the Reed Hillview area.

[skot7ac]

Also on the topic of price, these pre war Chiefs are an ablsolute steal. Flying or some such magazine usually does an article on hidden buys and I am always suprised that the 65 series Chief does not come up. There was a really nice 65CA for sale in CA that did not sell for 25K, fully restored. I can remember growing up and hearing about how the ribs fell apart. Wonder if that tale still keeps people from the airplane?

[Captgrumps]

Some prewar Chiefs had open cowls, but the majority had the bug eyed five piece cowls. The CA chiefs had closed cowls. The ribs you have heard stories about were probably the originals. long gone that had paper gussetts and the glue used then was not the best. Anything restored since then should have wood gussets on the ribs and better glue. I would not be afraid of anything rstored. Just get someone knowledgable to look at the airplane. Unfortunately there are more old wives tales out there than real information. The problem is magnified by the fact that there are not many A&P/IA's anymore that know about dope, fabric and wood work--and, unfortunately, have no real desire to learn as it is just an old airplane owned by a guy on a shoe string budget in their eyes..

Doug

[Dan Wagner]

I will get in to is late. According to Aeronca literature the only chief offered with an open cowl was the 50-L
the rest have inclosed cowls. The chief came after the K's. Although in John Houser book page 38 it shows the 50F (Franklins) with an open cowl.

Dan Wagner