Photograph:
Ryan SCW VH-SCW (c/n 211) at the Australian International Airshow at Avalon, VIC in February 2015 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Three-seat light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 108 kw (145 hp) Warner Super Scarab (Series 50) seven-cylinder air-cooled radial engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 11.43 m (37 ft 6 in)
- Length: 7.77 m (25 ft 5 in)
- Height: 2.13 m (7 ft 7 in)
- Wing area: 18.76 m² (202 sq ft)
- Max speed at 914 m (3,000 ft): 241 km/h (150 mph)
- Cruising speed at 1,524 m (5,000 ft): 225 km/h (140 mph)
- Cruising speed at 2,591 m (8,500 ft): 209 km/h (130 mph)
- Landing speed with air brake deployed: 72 km/h (45 mph)
- Rate of climb at sea level: 271 km/h (890 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 5,395 m (17,200 ft)
- Fuel capacity: 140 litres (31 imp gals)
- Take-off run: 152 m (600 ft)
- Cruising range at 2,591 m (8,500 ft): 724 km (450 miles)
- Empty weight: 610 kg (1,345 lb)
- Useful load: 365 kg (805 lb)
- Loaded weight: 975 kg (2,150 lb)
History:
In August 1937 the Ryan Aeronautical Company rolled out a new design, the SC series being a Sport Coupe of all metal construction. The first model was the SC-150, seating three, and was powered by a Menasco C4S four-cylinder engine which produced 112 kw (150 hp) at 2,260 rpm at 914 m (3,000 ft) and 119 kw (159 hp) at 2,300 rpm. This led to the SC-145 which was powered by a seven-cylinder Warner Super Scarab radial engine, this engine necessitating a re-design of the whole of the nose section to fit the engine which was enclosed by a low drag NACA type cowling, this engine having a better reputation than the Menasco.
The SCW-145 was a low-wing coupe type cabin monoplane with seating for two or three, the cabin being enclosed with a sliding canopy to provide comfort and convenience to the businessman or private owner. The rear seat was actually wide enough for two and some aircraft are known to have carried four on occasion. If the third occupant was not carried, some 91 kg (200 lb) of luggage could be carried. Type certification for the aircraft (ATC-658) was issued on 31 October 1937 but only 12 examples were completed by Ryan Aeronautical at its facility at Lindbergh Field in San Diego, California.
The undercarriage had a track of 2.46 m (97 inches) and the belly flap, or airbrake, had an area of 0.92 m² (10 sq ft). It had an electric starter, battery, wheel brakes, wheel pants, dual controls etc and the engine drove a Hartzell wooden fixed pitch propeller.
One example of the SCW-145 was impressed by the USAAF during World War II as the L-10 (serial 42-107412) and this operated with Air Transport Command on coastal patrol work. It was completed on 18 June 1938 and was the second last built, becoming NC18916. It was returned to civil ownership in 1944 and became NC46207, later again N46207 in Texas. On 9 July 1989 it suffered some damage after an engine failure at Santa Paula in California when the wings were damaged. It was rebuilt in Fresno, California in the 1990s.
This aircraft (c/n 211) was imported by a Ballarat-based owner in 2012 where, after restoration, it became VH-SCW (c/n 211) on 26 November 2014 and was owned by Mosscar Super Pty Ltd of Buninyong, VIC and operated by Stephen and Veronica Carter of the same address. In 2016 it was shipped to the United Kingdom and entered in the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation Concours d’Elegance held at the Goodwood Revival in September, the aircraft being awarded second prize to de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth ZK-AGM / G-CIPJ. It remained in the United Kingdom for a period before being shipped back to Australia.