Champ with control wheel and stick

[txflyer]

Had a visitor this morning in a Piper Clipper and when he saw that I have a Champ, asked what Champ there was that had a control wheel in the front and a stick in the back.

He said that he saw the airplane years ago west of Ft. Worth.

From a quick search, came back with a 7 HC, but unable to find my Aeronca book at the moment and decided to ask the group for the model number.

Thanks,

Tom Trissell
Clarksville TX

[Richard Murray]

I'm not absolutely sure, but wasn't that the 402 Lancer, the twin engine miscarriage...

[Captgrumps]

You are correct..

[David Johnson]

Buddy of mine has one. Probably be for sale in the spring. Factory yoke in front, stick in back. Certified for 2 small folks in the back. O-290-D for power. Heavy beast. Empty weight over 1200 lbs. But flies nice, and likes gas. Not real fast. His is a 1963. David J./Jasper, GA

[Richard Murray]

David

Tell more about your friend's Lancer. How did he get the O-290 installation approved? I understood the Lancer was certificated with O-200 engines.

[David Johnson]

Richard, It's not a Lancer. It is a 7HC DX Champ. O-290 is all original. It has a yoke in front, stick in back.



Never been around a Lancer. Probably be afraid to fly one too. David J./Jasper GA

[Richard Murray]

David,

Thanks. Follow up question was the yoke standard on the 7HC?

The Lancer, designated the 402, had two O-200 Continentals with fixed pitch props. It was supposed to be a light twin trainer.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Richard,
I went out to Georgia and looked at this plane, yes the yoke is standard in the front.
I had a chance to buy the yoke assembly for my 7HC that was converted to a front stick. The amount of work needed to re-install the wheel was just too much for my plane. I guess I'll just leave it as is, except I plan to install an O-320 as the O-290 is no longer supported by Lycoming. I found a 337 that should allow it.
Paul

[Richard Murray]

Paul

Fascinating information. Do you know if the 7HC was close in design to the 402 Lancer? Was the 7HC developed before, after, or at the same time as the 402?

[David Johnson]

Richard, this plane is a 1963. As to relation to the Lancer, we don't know. Sorry. David J.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Richard,
At this time in aviation Champion, along with everybody else, was trying to be everything to everyone. If the market was for nose wheels they put one on. If you needed a conventional wheel control they put those on also. Just about anything you wanted was available, even a reverse tri-gear, the 7JC.
The Lancer was built at the same time and shared some components. It was built for the twin engine training market but few were sold. I've never flown one but I would think that single engine performance would be ........ breathtaking.
The 7HC is unique in that it is the only certified 3 place Champion.
Paul
.