Photograph:
Partially completed Chris Tena Mini Coupe VH-MFM² at Mangalore, VIC in April 1986 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Single-seat low-wing light sport monoplane
Power Plant:
One 48 kw (65 hp) [1600 cc] Volkswagen conversion four-cylinder horizontally-opposed air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 7.32 m (24 ft)
- Length: 4.98 m (16 ft 4 in)
- Height: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Wing area: 7.76 m² (83.5 sq ft)
- Max speed at 610 m (2,000 ft): 169 km/h (105 mph)
- Max cruising speed at 610 m (2,000 ft): 145 km/h (90 mph)
- Stalling speed: 77 km/h (48 mph)
- Max rate of climb at sea level: 229 m/min (750 ft/min)
- Service ceiling: 3,810 m (12,500 ft)
- Range with max fuel: 20 mins reserve, 482 km (300 miles)
- Take-off run: 107 m (350 ft)
- Landing run: 122 m (400 ft)
- Fuel capacity: 61 litres (13.3 Imp gals)
- Empty weight: 225 kg (497 lb)
- Loaded weight: 385 kg (850 lb)
History:
Design of the Chris Tena Mini Coupe commenced in 1968, the first flight of the prototype taking place in September 1971. In June the following year it received its US FAA Certification in the Experimental Category and the designers in Hillsboro, Oregon subsequently began the sale of kits of components and materials, less engine, to interested amateur constructors throughout the world.
The fuselage was of stressed skin, metal, semi-monocoque structure with an open cockpit. The cantilever wing was of constant chord and had pressed-metal ribs, metal main spar and false spar, the latter carrying the ailerons. No flaps were fitted. The elevator was rectangular in shape and twin endplate fins and rudders were fitted. A fixed tricycle undercarriage relied on shock absorption from large tyres, and the converted Volkswagen engine was fitted with a fixed-pitch wooden propeller. Fuel capacity was normally 48 litres (10½ Imp gals) and a 0.08 m³ (3 cub ft) luggage locker was located behind the headrest.
In 1987 the registration VH-IJA was reserved for a Mini Coupe but it appears this aircraft was not completed, nor flown, and the registration was not taken up. Construction of another was commenced by Mr M Carr of Upper Beaconsfield, VIC and the registration VH-MFM² was allotted. It was displayed partially complete at a aviation event at Mangalore, VIC in April 1986 and again in 1987 but the ultimate fate of this aircraft is not known.
A number of examples have been completed around the world. A range of engines has been installed, including the 48 kw (65 hp) Continental A-65.