Hi Harry,
ERCO had difficulty getting electrical equipment ordered from Delco for
postwar production.
Ercoupe Service Memorandum No. 23 gives further insight.
With regard to Harry's Serial No. 853 Equipment List I would believe
the following applicable:
101: Prop
102: MLG wheels, brakes and tires
103: Nose wheel and tire
104: Carb air heater
105(b): Fuel Pump
302: Battery
Including all of the above, the bird weighed 798 lbs. on 3/25/46
Because of the listing of the Generator and Starter under "Special
Equipment" I would speculate that the dealer ordered
and paid for them. We don't know when it "left the factory" if that
was by air or boxcar. We don't know if it was delivered
to a dealer or to a customer, but dates in the original Flight Logs (if
available) might shed some light on this. it would
appear that initial delivery (to whomever) was without starter,
generator, battery, and voltage regulator.
I would presume it was test flown for acceptance with a battery later
removed. If so, only the starter, generator and voltage
regulator would appear to have been "optional equipment" until such
time as they arrived, were installed, and the W&B revised.
More than a few of the prewar 65HP coupes were manufactured with an
electrical system consisting of lights, wiring,
wind generator, voltage regulator (?) and a battery. I have serial
numbers. Some had a radio, including Serial No. 1.
Regards,
WRB
--
On Sep 4, 2009, at 15:59, Harry L. Francis wrote:
HI John and the group.... Just a little more to confuse the issue.
Looking at the paper work on my coupe, dated May 22, 1946; The weight
and balance form states" this aircraft left the factory without a
starter, generator, battery, and voltage regulator," Was IT
delivered to the custormer without these items?
Specification A-718-1
Further Form 809 shows equipment lists and special equipment list.
Eqpt list: 101, 102, 103, 104, 105(b), 302,. empty wgt.
(actual) 798, useful load 438. E.CG 26.52 aft of datum.
Special eqpt:
Carburetter air cleaner assy., per dwg. 415-40415.
Generator (Delco-Remy) Model 1101876.
Starter (Delco Remy) Model 110965
The Airwothiness Certificate was issued March 25, 1946.
Folks, does this suggest the Air Cleaner, Starter, and Gen were
optional eqpt ?
Harry Francis
