Ercoupe

The ERCO Ercoupe is a low-wing monoplane aircraft that was designed by Fred Weick,
of the Engineering and Research Corporation (ERCO), and was built in the United States
shortly before World War II. (Several other manufacturers continued its production after the war.)
The two-seat ERCO Ercoupe 415 went on sale in 1940. It was designed to be the safest
fixed-wing aircraft that aerospace engineering could provide at the time. LIFE Magazine described the aircraft
as "nearly foolproof" and showed pictures of a pilot landing with his hands in the air.
Production of the model 415-C resumed in 1946, and in that year alone 4,311 aircraft were produced
and sold at a cost of $2,665.00 (US). The final model, the Mooney M-10, first flew in 1968 and the
last model year was 1970, however the type continues to enjoy a faithful following today.
There were a total 5,685 Ercoupes built. It is uncertain how many are still airworthy and flying today.