Question on Brakes

[MikeB]

Here's one for you more knowledgable members: Why did some Champs come with Good Year brakes (ugh) and some with Van Sickle? Was it an option or a certain serial number run? Reason I bring it up, is that I was at a fly in this past weekend and there was another Champ a few numbers from mine that had Good Years (like mine). However, both the other Champs on our field have Van Sickles.....all 1946 year, though.

It seems like all the Chiefs I've looked at have Good Year, but then maybe I haven't been paying close attention.

I was just a little tyke in 1946......so....waaaaaaaaayyy.....before mine time. Anyway, too windy to fly.....so just wondering???

Mike

[joea]

Just a guess but bet it was whatever they had on hand and available at the moment. Remember that this is right after the war and everyone was spooling up their factories so there was not an abundance of parts available.

I wondered the same thing. Seen both goodyear and cleveland wheels/brakes on various planes and no rhyme or reason.

JoeA

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Piper was that way, using what they could borow and steal. Ever notice how there's no real pattern to what Engines they put on the J-3? Piper would have credit with Continental for maybe 30 engines, then the credit would run out. So Piper would call up Lycoming and run a credit for.....20 engines... that would run out, and then they would call Franklin. Then back to Continental once they payed the debit. You can see how it worked.

But now I wouldn't think Aeronca would have to do that for a $3 set of brakes. (1940's prices)

nkh

[Nathan K. Hammond]

Piper had that problem because they couldn't pay up front for the engines.

nkh

[MikeB]

I guess those answers are as good as any. Pretty interesting when you look through the Aeronca book and see pictures of Aeronca's with different brake systems. Of course, the Champ/Chief was supposed to be a 'low buck' (and probably short service life) trainer. Here they still are after near 60 years .