The ERCO Ercoupe’s Military Legacy
The ERCO Ercoupe, known for its innovative design and reputation as a safe, easy-to-fly civilian aircraft, played a significant yet often overlooked role in military aviation history. From pioneering rocket-assisted take-off (RATO) to serving in the Civil Air Patrol, the Ercoupe’s contributions to aviation technology and defence span decades.
America’s First Rocket-Assisted Aircraft
On August 6, 1941, the ERCO Ercoupe made history by becoming the first aeroplane to take off with the assistance of Jet-Assisted Take-off (JATO), later known as RATO. The landmark event took place at March Field, California, with Captain Homer A. Boushey Jr. at the controls. Equipped with solid-propellant boosters developed by the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology (GALCIT), the Ercoupe successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of rocket-assisted propulsion.
This experiment marked a breakthrough for military aviation, proving that supplemental thrust could dramatically reduce take-off distances and enhance climb performance a concept that would later benefit heavily loaded bombers and fighter aircraft in challenging conditions.
The Pioneers Behind the Technology
The origins of RATO can be traced back to Frank J. Malina, a graduate student at GALCIT, who, in 1935, envisioned the potential of rocket propulsion to overcome the limitations of propeller-driven aircraft. By 1939, CalTech’s Clark Millikan and Homer J. Stewart were conducting theoretical research on JATO’s impact on aircraft performance. Their work culminated in the August 1941 tests, where the Ercoupe was chosen for its stability, tricycle landing gear, and ease of handling.
The results were groundbreaking:
The Ercoupe’s take-off roll was cut in half, from 580 feet to just 300 feet.
Take-off time was reduced from 13.1 seconds to 7.5 seconds.
Later tests removed the Ercoupe’s propeller entirely, proving that pure rocket propulsion could sustain flight for a short duration.
These early successes paved the way for RATO-equipped military aircraft used during World War II and beyond.
The Global Adoption of RATO
While the U.S. was refining RATO technology, Britain and Germany had already begun their experiments. The British Royal Navy developed fighter catapult (CAM) ships, launching Hawker Hurricanes from freighters to intercept German Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor bombers raiding Allied convoys. The effectiveness of these emergency-launched fighters demonstrated the practicality of assisted take-off systems.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force would later implement RATO-equipped Boeing B-47 Stratojets and Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers, underscoring the long-term impact of the Ercoupe’s pioneering role in JATO research.
The Ercoupe’s Military Service
Beyond its role in rocket-assisted flight testing, the Ercoupe saw limited military service:
YO-55: The U.S. Army Air Corps acquired an Ercoupe 415-C (Serial Number 41-18875) for evaluation as an observation aircraft in 1941.
XPQ-13: Two modified Ercoupe 415-Cs (Serial Numbers 41-25196 and 41-39099) were tested as target drones for training exercises.
Civil Air Patrol: During World War II, the U.S. Civil Air Patrol (CAP) used the Ercoupe for coastal patrols, transportation, and liaison missions.
Even after the war, in 1948, the Royal Air Force evaluated an Ercoupe 415-C (Serial Number VX147) for primary flight training, though it was not adopted.
The Ercoupe’s Final Military Role
Decades later, the Alaska State Defence Force’s 491st Aviation Regiment utilised Ercoupe PQ-13s (military-designated 415-Cs and 415-Ds) for:
Aerial photography
Military police operations
Officer transport
The unit maintained seven Ercoupes until their retirement in the early 2000s, marking the last military use of the Ercoupe.
A Legacy of Innovation
The ERCO Ercoupe, often remembered as a safe and user-friendly aircraft for civilian pilots, left a profound technological and historical legacy in military aviation. From pioneering rocket-powered flight to serving in defence roles, the Ercoupe’s contributions to military innovation remain a testament to its versatile and forward-thinking design.
Today, aviation historians and enthusiasts recognise the Ercoupe’s critical role in shaping modern assisted take-off technology, ensuring its place in the annals of aviation history.
