Weird Hangar/barn find

Mtns2Skies

Final Approach
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Mtns2Skies
Tucked away in the corner of Richland WA's airport (KRLD) was this old tricycle gear champ: It's much dustier and worn away than in that video. Never seen a 7FC before. Ugly as none other. Apparently restored in 2001... probably not touched since.

 
I have seen a few FCs. The tricon has to be the weirdest though. Like they had some extra nose wheels so slapped them on.
Aeronca.jpg
 
The FC also had a control column, like an old airliner.
 
Not much different than the Tripacer, and probably done to compete with that market.
 
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Not much different than the Tripacer, and problem done to compete with that market.
Quite a bit different than a tripacer which held four adults, was quite a bit faster due to short wing and a lot more horsepower. Very popular in its day. The blue bros. After graduating from Yale, flew one around the world. By the time aeronca brought this out they were almost done.
 
By the time aeronca brought this out they were almost done.
They were already done. Aeronca ceased aircraft production in 1951 and sold the Model 7 design to the new Champion Aircraft company in 1954. Production of the 7EC resumed as the "Champion Traveller". The 7FC Tri-Traveller (90-hp Continental) was introduced in 1957.

The oddball 7JC "Tri-Con" was introduced in 1960, as was the rare Model 7HC "DX'er", another tricycle-gear model. The 7HC was based on the three-seat 7GC "Sky-Trac" with a 140 hp Lycoming engine.

Now if you're looking for something uglier than a tri-gear Champ ...

J-3-Tricycle.jpg
 
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Let's not forget the Champion Lancer...

viewFile.html
 
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