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Hi Wayne...Sorry to be so confusing... I think what happened is this: The original Ercoupe 415 was certified with the inline engine ERCO IL-116, and the cowling just came back to the fire wall. CAA/FAA regulations require a S/S firewall, and it was installed. All is fine. Then Continental made the 65 HP continental engine available at about $500 ea cheaper than ERCO could build the IL-116. So, ERCO then installed the certified Cont 65. This required a radical change in the cowling, including extending the cowling back over the forward fuselage.......beyond the firewall. Now Regulations specifically include any structure under the engine cowling as required to be S/S for fire safety reasons...But, apparently CAA missed this needed change. So when ERCO wanted to increase the GW to make the D model, one of the changes required was to install a S/S cover over the Front fuselage, to comply with the REGS...which evidently the CAA had failed to notice when the original certification for the C model (Spec A-718) was issued. The D Model was certified under Spec A-787. When the D was deemed unsatisfactiory in the landing mode, the factory recertified the Ecoupe as a CD model, including the s/s covering, to comply with the REgs... So, I think all original CD models had s/s/front fuselage coverings as did the D, EFGH, Forney Alon & Mooney. ( D models S/N 4424 thru 4499 - It appears s/n 4500 was a C model) quote from Spec A-718 : "S/N 4501 and up designated model 415-CD identical to model 415-C except for revised throttle and trim control, wide trim tab (1-3/8" chord) in accordance with ERCO dwg. 415-22031,. improved fuel venting system, revised nose gear oleo strut, improved interior trim and installation of stainless steel upper fuselage skin." I made this phrase bold. Hope this helps. It appears that S/N 4169 should be a C model, unless it has been modified to be a D or a CD. In either case, the S/S/ forward upper skin is a requirement, I believe. Some would suggest that unsold C models were in fact converted to CD models at the factory, but the Specifications do not show that. Each airplane's log book , and info at St Louis FAA would verify if the changes were made...and where/when... Hopefully the information is in your log books. But if not, it would be of value to obtain the micro-fish records from FAA at St. Louis.... I don't know how to verify the s/s skin, except to investigate the metal under the cowling where the scratch would not be noticed, nor the paint be messed up. REgards, Harry --------------------------------- to unsubscribe send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________________________ T O P I C A -- Learn More. Surf Less. Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Topics You Choose. http://www.topica.com/partner/tag01
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