Monocoupes were spirited, light cabin planes that featured an enclosed cabin, side-by-side seating, strong structures, and powerful engines. First conceptualized in the mid-1920s by Don Luscombe, a young advertising man, the Monocoupe 22, prototype of the 70, was the first light cabin monoplane to be certified under the Department of Commerce's regulations established in 1927. By 1928, Monocoupes comprised of nearly 90 percent of all light airplanes produced and sold in the United States. The Monocoupe 70 was issued its Approved Type Certificate (ATC 70) in September 1928. With its flashy good looks and Velie engine, the plane was popular with air race pilots.

Goerge Law originally owned this Monocoupe Model 70 (NC6730, serial number 133) and it went through a succession of sixteen owners before it was severely damaged in a crash in 1940. In 1975, it was given to famous racing and test pilot Tony LeVier, who renovated the aircraft and donated it to the National Air and Space Museum in 1983 It is one of only a few of this famous type still in existence and has been on loan since 1984 to the California Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details

Date

1928

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

CRAFT-Aircraft

Manufacturer

Mono-Aircraft Inc.

Physical Description

Steel tube airframe, fabric cover.

Dimensions

Wingspan: 9.7 m (32 ft)
Length: 6 m (19 ft 9 in)
Height: 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight, Empty: 360 kg (795 lbs)
Weight, Gross: 612 kg (1,350 lbs)
Top Speed: 157 km/h (98 mph)
Engine: Velie M-5 5 Cylinder Radial, 55 hp

Materials

Welded steel tubing with fabric cover

Inventory Number

A19840174000

Credit Line

Gift of Anthony LeVier

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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