Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale


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Current Price: 17,000.00 USD

Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief

Today a lot of flying is about getting quickly from A to B. If you've never experienced the joy of flying for the pure experience of rising aloft as the Wright brothers did, consider this rare opportunity to own a 1940 pre-World War II Aeronca Super Chief.

The Aeronca Aircraft Corporation, founded in 1928, was the first company to build commercially successful general aviation aircraft. The company stopped production during the war and resumed in 1944. This Super Chief is one of only 655 built in 1940; pre-war production of all Aeronca models was slightly more than 2,200.

The 1940 65CA Super Chief was the same as the earlier 65C with the addition of an 8-gallon auxiliary fuel tank and "other deluxe appointments" according to the company.

This particular plane – N29447 – belonged to my father, whose love of aviation and career in aviation and aerospace spanned nearly 70 years. His two favorite planes were a B55 Baron (because it was fast!) and the Super Chief. At age 86, my father doesn't fly any more, and it's time for a new owner to enjoy the Super Chief.

History of N29447

The US Army Air Corps (there was no "Air Force" at the time), bought many of the 65CAs, and N29447 was one of them. The military sold the plane to a private owner in 1951. The Air Corps either did not keep standard log books or did not transfer any logbooks when the plane was sold. We have standard logbooks from 1951 forward with the exception of a missing engine log from 1970 - 1982.

In the mid-1960s, the owner at the time rebuilt the entire aircraft. It was completely disassembled and refurbished, repaired, and rebuilt as necessary. During the rebuild process, the plane sustained some wind damage. The repairs and the rebuild were completed in 1966 and approved by the FAA. Extensive details of the rebuild included complete disassembly of the entire airframe, sanding by hand, and coating with zinc chromate. Zinc chromate was also applied to nearly everything else, as documented in the IA notes.

At the time, the Super Chief was recovered in cotton fabric (!), but fortunately it was re-covered in 1986 with Ceconite and repainted. As I understand it, Ceconite is a "lifetime fabric," and you can get more information here: 

My father bought the Super Chief in 2004. As the FBO in Cleburne, TX for more than 40 years, the maintenance, use, and hangaring of the plane was under his exacting care and standards. The plane was due for an annual in August 2016. When I had that done, the IA told me, "This is a sweet plane. Someone's going to love flying it."

Enough story – here are the technical details:

Concerning the fabric covering: I have spoken with the IA who did the last annual, spoken with the manufacturer of the Ceconite fabric, and read FAA advisory circular AC 43.13-1B for fabric-covered aircraft. All three sources are in agreement that on Ceconite, a punch test should not be done and does not produce valid results. The punch test was originally designed for cotton and Irish linen coverings. In addition, AC 43.13-1B says, "mechanical devices used to test fabric by pressing against or piercing the finished fabric are not FAA approved," and that if a punch test is done, it must be done on bare fabric.


The Ceconite manufacturer has a recommended testing procedure to evaluate the fabric, which the IA performed at the last annual. The fabric on the Super Chief is in great condition, is airworthy, and ready to fly. The fabric is flexible and resilient and does not have any cracks, brittle areas, or ringworms. The aluminum flake in the fabric is solid so that no light passes through.

I learned from speaking with the IA today that since the plane was recovered in 1986, it has ALWAYS been stored in a hangar. UV rays are the only thing that can cause Ceconite to deteriorate, which is why, if properly stored, it's called a "lifetime fabric."

This plane is located in Cleburne, TX (CPT) about 40 minutes southwest of Dallas-Fort Worth. We have lowered the price to $17,000 and welcome offers. Of course, any offer you make will be contingent on a satisfactory inspection of the plane before the purchase is finalized. No money orders, checks, or cashier's checks, and buyer will be responsible for paying any sales tax that might be due. You are welcome to email me through the eBay system, but you are also welcome to call or text my cell phone at area code 239-eight-three-nine-7716.


Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale
Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale
Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale
Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale
Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale
Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale
Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale Pre-WWII Aeronca Super Chief: rare aircraft for sale


Click here to purchase or contact the seller of this item on eBay