Don Luscombe built the first monocoque in 1926. Don wanted a more comfortable plane than his open cockpit “Jenny.” The monocoque was engineered and built by Clayton Folkerts. Together, Don and Clayton launched a type of aircraft that dominated the light plane scene for several years.
Production of the monocoque was sporadic until 1928 when the company became associated with W. L. Velie, a former car manufacturer. Velie brought the monocoque a reliable source of small engines. The 113 was manufactured by Mono Aircraft Corporation, which was a subsidiary of Allied Aviation Industries.
The Monocoupe was powered by a 65 hp Velie radial engine. The fuselage framework was built of welded steel tubing, which was faired to shape with formers and fairing strips, and then was covered with fabric. The cabin roof had a large skylight for vision overhead. The wings were built of solid spruce spars and spruce and basswood ribs which were also fabric covered.
The Monocoupe 113 was reasonably stable and quite easy to fly. By 1929, approximately ten percent of all licensed US aircraft were monocoque. The monocoque accumulated a good safety record and promoted longevity. Through the late 1930s it was not uncommon to see scores of monocoque flying all over the countryside.
The exceptional performance and sharp maneuverability of the 113 drew the monocoque to air races and other events wher its pilot could show it off. During the 1929 air race season, many monocoque were the headliners. The 113 was also used in the primary phases of flight instruction by flying schools.
TTF’s monocoque was the first of the famous monocoque line, which was among the earliest cabin monoplanes. The airplane was meticulously restored and flown to the EAA Museum under its own power. At that time, it was one of the last flyable 113s in existence. The monocoque 113 is an example of the type of airplane that dominated the light plane scene for several years. In 1968, John Hatz loaned the monocoque to the EAA Museum. The airplane was put on permanent display in 1977.
