The C-2N was manufactured by the Aeronautical Corporation of America, at Lunken Airport, Cincinnati, Ohio. Designed by Jean Roche, member of Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame, it was an economical trainer and sport plane. This aircraft did much to encourage private flying during the depression era by being inexpensive to operate and purchase with a price tag of only $1,695 in 1932. The engine is a 36 hp, two-cylinder, air-cooled E-113, which burns 2.5 gallons per hour. Fondly called the Flying Bathtub, it was virtually without vice. Many pilots made their first solo flight in the 1930s in this homely aircraft. It is not generally known that the aircraft and engine were also license-built in England.
The specimen at the Virginia Aviation Museum is Serial Number A-151, Registration number NC-11417 is one of only four C-2N's produced by Aeronca. It is powered by an Aeronca E-113 engine, Serial Number A511. The airframe, according to the most recent entry in the logbook, has 398.9 hours and the engine has 471.55 hours indicating the engine is not the original installed in the airframe. Both times are comparatively low for an aircraft of this age.
Aeronca History
Founded in 1928 as the Aeronautical Corporation of America, Aeronca was the first U.S. company to market a truly light airplane. The C-2 aircraft opened up flying to the general public and made the corporation a major force in general aviation. Changing its name to Aeronca in 1941, it served in World War II as the producer of the Aeronca Grasshopper, a light liaison and observation monoplane. The Company also manufactured hundreds of trainers and gliders for the war effort.
The Post-War era saw the release of popular aircraft from Aeronca: the Champ, the Chief and Super Chief; the Defender, and the Arrow, a low-wing cabin monoplane with retractable landing gear. From 1945 to 1950, Aeronca built thousands of light aircraft, reaching a peak production of 50 aircraft per day. Production of light aircraft ceased in 1951. In the short span of twenty-three years Aeronca manufactured 17,408 airplanes of some 55 different models.
The legacies of Aeronca's pioneering aircraft remain for thousands of vintage aircraft buffs. Biannually, enthusiast and their aircraft gather for the Aeronca Association Convention at the adjacent Hook Field. Millions have also seen the Aeronca C?2 lightplane on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
