M. M. Marmel ‘98

In the 1930s sport flying was all the rage. The Erminengineering and Research Corporation [ERCO] in Elkton, Maryland has managed to escape most of the effects of the Great Depression and is continuing to build advanced design monoplanes for sports and military applications.

For 1935, ERCO has introduced the Ercorsair 105, a sleek two-seater with several advanced design features such as a monocoque fuselage, tricycle landing gear and a 500 horsepower eight-cylinder ‘boxer’ (opposed cylinder) engine with an experimental supercharger and mechanical fuel injection. With a three-bladed variable-speed prop turning at 3,500 rpm, the Ercorsair has a maximum cruise speed of 300 mph. A smaller four-cylinder model, the Ercoop, is planned for release in 1937.

Shown in the plan drawings is the Ercorsair 105-S seaplane version, equiped with dual pontoon floats.

Wingspan: 35 feet
Length: 25 feet
Weight: 1500 pounds dry
Fuel capacity: 10 gallon nose tank; 20 gallon tanks in each wing. Extra fuel cells in the pontoon floats for trans-oceanic flights.
Engine: Cowntinental SIO-720 eight-cylinder opposed engine, experimental supercharger and mechanical fuel injection.
Horsepower: 500 at 3,500 rpm.
Propellor: Three-bladed Camelton-Standard variable-speed.
Maximum cruise speed: 300 mph.
Fuel consumption: 20 gallons per hour at economy cruise (250 mph).
Range (approximate): 625 miles with internal fuel (2.5 hours).
Armament: Twin .30 calibre Bruining aircraft machineguns, discreetly mounted in the wing roots behind retractable landing lights. If a light doesn’t retract, the guns can be fired through it, necessitating replacement of the light.

An Ercorsair 105-S, similar to the one shown, was used by Leslie duCleds and companion Willow Fawnsworthy during their travels in the Pacific.