Again, Mono Aircraft Triumphs

 Another Monocoupe ad (click for a larger view):

Monocoupe Ad

Nice ad for the Model 90A.  Click for a high resolution version.

 

Jim Harvey's NC38902

Jim Harvey's first Monocoupe was NC38902 a Franklin powered Model 90AF.  Al Stix found some old photo negatives of NC38902 and was able to scan and digitize them.  This ship was one of the five Monocoupes in the Great Monocoupe Race of 1960 (post below).  Jim had an engine failure in NC38902 and was able to safely make a local field, but did have a slight incident.

From old club Newsletters it appears that Jim Harvey owned NC38902 for five years.  Originally assigned to the group of 90AF’s destined for the Free French in WWII, but was never delivered.  The aircraft was destroyed in a departure stall/spin in the 1980’s.  Thankfully, both occupants survived.

Bob Buck and Battling The Elements

Robert Buck

Dec. 9, 2003

I had a two-seat Monocoupe sport plane with a five-cylinder, 90 horsepower Lambert engine, which I flew from Burbank, Calif., to Columbus, Ohio, 1,986.7 miles that set the world's distance record for light planes.  I flew the same plane to Mexico, across to Cuba and back to the United States.  I experienced only one failure when it swallowed a valve; even then it limped along for 37 miles to an airport.

Bob Buck's adventure to Mexico and Cuba is documented in his book titled "Battling The Elements".  Every now and then you can find a copy for sale online.

Seventeen Years

Seventeen years, some elbow grease and a few dollars.

The Great Monocoupe Race of 1960

As told by Harley Stewart

A group of five evenly matched 'Coupes took off for their assembly point - a small lake some five miles distant.

I drove down the active runway, and there, with Johnny Livingston, who needs no introduction, we waited for the "downhill" leg of this race.  And friends, "downhill" is exactly the word, for just before take-off, the FAA gave the racers permission to come in low over the runway, for their finish, and coming in low, hot and fast is just how this race finished!  From the moment the planes were sighted, on their return to the field, it could be seen the fellows were serious about wanting to be first.  

Closer and closer they came, both to us and to the ground, and faster and faster, their speed.  Coming head-on, it was impossible to tell the relative position of the planes, but as they neared the far end of the runway the high pitched scream of the engines was very evident, and with the planes tightly bunched and only a few feet off the ground, I feel perfectly safe in saying that these fellows had our undivided attention.

So tightly grouped were the planes that I'm sure the first three over the line must have been using the same second of time, for their finish! First, 2nd and 3rd in a very thrilling finish, were Joe Jones, Jerry Edwards and Jack McCarthy with young Dave Jameson as copilot. Following closely were Jim Harvey and Paul Hamilton, completing one of the closest and most thrilling races I've seen for many a day.

#1 NC11760 Model 90AL flown by Joe Jones now owned by Richard Davis:

#2 NC-87622 Model 90AL flown by Jerry Edwards believed to be now owned by Brian Walker, but registration cancelled 2013:

#3 NC12345 Model 110 flown by Jack McCarthy now hanging in museum in MD

#4 NC38902 Model 90AF flown by Jim Harvey ship destroyed in accident 1970, no picture yet but I'm trying to get one

$5 NC18642 Model 110 flown by Paul Hamilton ship now clipped and on display at Creve Couer museum: