What would I buy…Monocoupe
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What would I buy? Monocoupe
This is the fifth installment in a series of articles based on a hypothetical set of airplane ownership criteria. Note: This information is strictly the opinion of the author. Your mileage may vary.
So for this one I reached deep into my eccentric tastes to produce an example of how I could easily liberate $50,000.00
In the previous articles it was $40K for a Bonanza, $30K for a Swift, $20K for a Luscombe, and $10K for the Kolb.
Ok, if you haven’t figured it out by now, I have eclectic airplane tastes with a strong affinity for the classics. Sorry it’s my money and its a free country.
The Monocoupe is a very unique, yet famous, sport aircraft from the 1930s that actually shares its lineage with the Luscombe. Both were the spawned from the brain of Don Luscombe and the Monocoupe is the progenitor of my beloved $20K hypothetical purchase from installment #2.
The history of these aircraft is very interesting, but I will focus more on my “purchasing” decision.
Beyond the normal cool factor of an airplane of heritage, it is also a taildragger, a radial engine taildragger at that – big points in my view.
The example I found on barnstormers.com was representative of others I have seen for sale. The prices do vary a lot as they are rare (only 324 were built) and it’s not often you find more than one for sale on the market at a given time.
Although I prefer the red on black paint scheme, this little bird looks very clean.
Noting the G meter inside reminds me that these airplanes are aerobatic, at least to the extent you want to yank and bank on a 75-year-old airplane. I would have no issues with less than 4g “gentleman” aerobatics in this machine.
I have friend and fellow corporate pilot that’s father actually flew airshows in one for years.
In that same vein, many of the remaining Monocoupes have been extensively modified. Seems like bigger engines and clipped wings were a popular way to hot rod your ‘coupe.
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 20 ft 10 in (6.35 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 0 in (9.76 m)
- Height: 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
- Empty weight: 973 lb (441 kg)
- Loaded weight: 1,490 lb (676 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Lambert R-266 radial engine, 90 hp (67 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 100 knots (115 mph, 185 km/h)
- Range: 470 nm (540 miles, 869 km)
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,573 m)
- Power/mass: 0.06 hp/lb (0.10 kW/kg)
With only 90hp and a cruise speed of 100mph it’s no rocket ship, but what you are buying is a really classic machine that anyone would be proud to owe – if they knew what they were looking at.
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The problem with this airplane is the same as with many others: much easier to buy than to keep.
Yep, that’s true Pete.
Brent
Ownership of something like a Monocoupe these days makes you part owner, part curator. Accept that you will make most airframe parts (or find the few still around that can) and that you will spend late nights either on the phone or internet scrounging engine parts.
Rejoice every time the wheels leave the ground because you’ve preserved something that will never be built again (Aviat tried in the case of the Monocoupe).
Well said! This kind of stewardship wouldn’t be for everyone, but it could be really rewarding.
Brent
Hi! I am a lucky person who knows where a Monocoupe 90 with a radial Warner scr jr on it is. It has been recovered- a long time ago- and the engine is original to the plane. Twenty plus years in new cloth can be a good thing if it turns out to be cecconite, or just another recover item. The motor, now matter what time on it means $$$$ to inspect it if not rebuild it. Is it a diamond in the straw? Or a deep well….
For the right price and interested party this can be an excellent adventure.
Gary,
Wow that sounds exciting! I would love to have the time and resources for such a project!
Brent
Thanks Gary! I wish I could be the next steward of such a machine but…
Best of luck on your hip, hope a speedy recovery for you!
Brent
Thank you answering me,
After reading your story on the 110, I thought I through some ideas to you. I just loved the vignettes you have written and hope follow you in the future. I hope to follow and record my find but in no way own it or even participate in the selling other than get as many pictures as I can before the plane disappears from this area.
Thanks again please keep writing!
Gary
Thank you Gary! Always a pleasure!
Brent
I have a 1932 Monocoupe Serial # 625 with a Werner SCA JR SERIES Engine for sale. I have no experience as a pilot, the plane was left in my father-in-laws estate, and we need to sell it. I do not know how to accomplish this ,so any help would be appreciated. jpvgoler@gmail.com
I also have a Monocoupe 1932 90 J Serial # 625 original Werner SCA JR Series Engine. All is original and plane was recovered ,engine rebuilt and propeller sent to Harrisburg Pa for reconditioning in the 90’s. Dad got sick and died after he completed the plane and the plane has been indoors since the mid 1990’s. Need to sell it, any suggestions?
John,
I’ll pass this along to a friend who is intimate with Monocoupes and see what he says. I’ll let you know. Another option would be to reach out to the local EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) to see if they can offer assistance on pricing, finding a buyer, etc.
Regards,
Brent