AERONCA
Model 15AC sedan
1949
Refurbishment Project.
1949 Aeronca 15AC Sedan
Hew Hodgson and his team, had the pleasure of restoring this Aeronca to it's original beauty.
The restoration started 2008 and was completed in 2013.
In 2008, Louis Smit (an aviation enthusiast) was the owner of the aircraft who approached us at Midcoast Air to restore the aircraft for him. This was not feasible due to the high labour costs involved.
It was suggested that Midcoast Air purchase the aircraft to restore in our own time and offer Louis a first option to purchase once restortation was complete.
Arriving at Midcoast Air, Margate Airport (FAMG)
Hew Hodgson and Staff inspect the aircraft at FAMG - and wonder what they have got themselves involved in !!!
Would this be possible to ever get these bits and peices together to look like an aircraft - never mind get it to flying??
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And so the project begins
FIRST GROUND RUN
2HT Leads were swopped - this was rectified and the aircraft ran perfectly - taxied beautifully, easy to control on the ground
Notes from the late DAVE BECKER – SA’s famous aviation historian… as appeared in SA Flyer – Edition 182, December 2010
“One of the greatest pleasures of the aviation game is visiting a strange airfield and discovering an
unusual type of aircraft – either beautifully restored, tucked away in a hangar, under restoration,
or at worst, as a decrepit pile of junk behind the hangar.
This years EAA convention at Margate, saw the writer at it once again around the hangers at FAMG
(Margate Airport) in search of treasure.
It was in the local AMO’s hangar, MIDCOAST AIR that the gem was found.
A 1949 vintage Aeronca 15AC Sedan being completely restored.
The type is not well known – in fact one well-known Aeronca owner expressed surprise that the company
had even produced a four seat aircraft
to compliment their well known Champ and Chief product line.
FAA records show that the one other Aeronca Sedan, N1250H (15AC-262) is registered
to owners with South African connections.
Whether the aircraft is resident in South Africa or still in the USA is open to question,
but records state that it is not currently airworthy
(last C of A 11 October 1974) and may be awaiting or undergoing restoration in the USA.
If all goes well perhaps in the next few years, two Aeronca 15AC Sedans will grace our skies”