June Mystery Airplane Contest

This month's mystery, the Aeronca Model LB, was literally washed away. Founded on 11 November 1928, the Aeronautical Corporation of America, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the first company to manufacture commercially successful general aviation aircraft. It had the backing of the wealthy Taft family.

Located at Lunken Field, Aeronca suffered a major disaster in 1937 when the Ohio River flooded the airport. The Aeronca factory was destroyed and tooling, inventory, and blueprints for the promising Model L were lost. After the flood, Aeronca moved to Middletown, Ohio, and concentrated on its popular high wing models. Only 65 Model L series were built.

A side-by-side, two-seat cabin low-wing monoplane, the 1935 Model L was produced with four different radial engines: The LA with 70 hp LeBlond, the LB with 85 hp LeBlond, the LC with 90 hp Warner Junior, and the LD with 90 hp Lambert. The Model L also differed from other Aeronca products in having a cantilever low wing, large wheel spats, and a Townend ring cowl for the radial engine.

Joe Juptner notes in Volume 6 that the Model LB was the most popular seller and that its "flight characteristics were delightful." One LC series aircraft, NC16289, was fitted with floats as the Model LCS. The Model LB with the 85 hp LeBlond has a maximum speed of 120 mph, lands at

48 mph, and carries 28 gallons of fuel.

The LeBlond series of small air-cooled radial engines also came from Cincinnati. Richard LeBlond's machine-tool company was known for its excellent lathes. It manufactured three, five, and seven cylinder radials until the firm was sold to Rearwin Airplanes in 1937, which renamed the engines, Ken-Royce.

This Oshkosh 2018 photo is of NC16262, the Reserve Grand Champion Antique. Sold first to Henry Cunning in October 1936, NC16262 eventually had 11 owners. After a complete rebuild, it flew again on 30 June 2018 and is currently registered to James Hammond of Yellow Springs, Ohio.

This month's winner is Roger Gomoll, a long-time vintage airplane aficionado. Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame President Noel Allard rode in an Aeronca LC at Blakesburg many years ago and Wayne Muxlow recognized NC16262 from Oshkosh 2018. Thanks, gentlemen! Blue skies and

tail winds.