Fabric envelopes Aeronca 50-C

[Clyder]

Aircraft Spruce supplier says that they haven't fabric patterns for the 50-C Chief. Does anyone know a supplier or know a source for the patterns? I need envelopes for the fuselage, fin, and wings. My control surfaces are ok. Clyde

[joea]

Wonder how different the wings would be on this airplane versus a post-war Chief or Champ?

Could an envelope for one of these be modified or adapted to fit easier than starting from scratch?

Joe A

[MikeB]

Personally, I've used blanket material for all my covering except the fuselage. The fuselage is a bit more difficult because it can't be covered with one large piece. There needs to be sewing or a seam some place. Not familiar with the 50 C models, though. Actually, if you look at the Aeronca film from the factory they originally wrapped the fabric on the top stringers on the 7AC's which is a 'no no' according to Poly-Fiber (for example). One would think if it was good enough for the factory and, in fact that's the way it was done through the 7EC's I believe, it should be OK as you can get by with two large pieces on the top and sides. Anyway, the rest of the control surfaces, wings, etc. are easy to cover with blanket material in my opinion.

MikeB

[Clyder]

I can't imagine that the fuselage for the later model Chiefs are that much different than the 50-C. They look very much the same except for the fin and the manner in which it is blended into the tail. Of course the cowling is different. My twin brother did the original covering some 20 years ago and he took pictures of it--he got an envelop from somewhere but he doesn't remember where. The fin had a separate envelope because it's welded fast.

He's going to help me recover it and says that we can use blankets but I'd like to find an envelope if possible.

Clyde

[MikeB]

Have you tried Jim and Dondi Miller in Ohio (I think). I've heard they are able to come up with envelopes for various applications. You can 'google' them under Poly Fiber dealers.
MikeB

[Clyder]

Thanks, Mike. I'll give that a try. Clyde

[ttad]

Clyde,

Envelope makers probably don't know that the 50C has the same fulselage as the 65C. You may want to contact them again to see if they have it indexed under 65C.

Todd Trainor

[Clyder]

Todd--good point. I'll try that. They must have had calls for the later Chiefs--certainly the Champion would never fit. Clyde

[ttad]

By the way, the wings and tail surfaces on all the pre-War Chiefs are the same. (Not true between pre-War and post-War.)

According to the drawings, the fuselages have some pretty significant changes between the 50C/65C and the 65CA, including a wider cabin. Aft of the cabin appears to be the same tubular structure, but I cannot determine if the bulkheads & stringers are the same across the two groups. Therefore, I am not certain that at 65C fuselage enveleope will fit on at 65CA fuselage and would suggest not trying.

[Clyder]

It really gets confusing (50C, 65C, 65CA, 7AC and 11AC) My understanding that all the Chiefs sometime in the forties started to be designated "11ACs" because everyone was putting different engines in them. The Spruce supplier only has patterns for the 7AC which as I understand it is the Champion. I think the 11AC envelope would work if I could find one--if it's too big, I just cut it down to size. The supplier says if I'll give him a pattern, he'll sew it up for me. I'm working on it but I don't know that it will be satisfactory. Clyde

[Clyder]

My problem concerning envelopes is solved! MikeB recommended that I talk to Jim and Dondi Miller in Ohio and their web page showed envelopes for all the Chiefs. I talked to Jim and we're in business! Their company is "Aircraft Technical Support Inc.

Thanks to all for your help.

Clyde

[ttad]

Let me know how it goes. The lady that sews the envelopes for the Millers lives in my airporthood. I'd be curious to see if he actually has a pattern for the 50C/65C, or if he is thinking that all pre-War Chiefs are the same. It would be a risk, but might be worth trying the 65CA envelope on your 50C. I suggest you advise the Millers of the risk in advance so you can return the envelope in the event it is too small. Or asking him specificially if the envelope is for a 50C/65C. My primary concern is around the cabin, based on my examination of the drawings.

As for the 11AC, it is nothing like the pre-War Chiefs. It is a totally different design in everyway. As a rule, you should consider that no parts from the pre-War Chief will fit on the post-War Chief. The only exception will be tiny little parts. As for the fuselage, cowling, tail feathers, wings, landing gear, engine mount, doors, struts, ailerons, etc, they are not interchangeable.

Todd

[Clyder]

Jim seemed to be very knowledgable of the different types and particularly mentioned the pre-war model (mine was actually built in '39 and has the "bug eye" cowling). When he calls with the price I'll be sure to mention the point you made.I have all the parts for it and it needs some stringers replaced and the wings need work on the tips but the spars are in really good condition. The engine checks out fine but I had to replace the oil kidney--someone had tried to repair a crack and it was unsuccessful. I hope to have it flying by the end of the summer.

Thanks for the good advice.

Clyde