[Yardstick]

Neat looking little plane. What’s the advantage of the dual stabilizers?

[SkyPilot]

The Ercoupe came out in 1946 (they manufactured a few later in the late 60's, but almost all were made right after WW II). The general aviation aircraft industry was in full swing, thinking that tens of thousands of newly training pilots would be buying airplanes like cars.

That never really panned out. Most GIs were trying to go back to college or trade school in the GI bill, get married, have kids, save for a home, and get their lives back to together.

But some great aircraft were made in 1946 - many still flying today.

The Ercoupe was designed by the same guy who designed the Piper 140. He thought he would design an aircraft that didn't need rudder pedals for control, the rudder axis is connect to the yoke. He also made the aircraft "spin proof" for safety, but I tried spinning it and it sort of did spin. It certainly stalled. It was called the "poor man's P-38" at the time, in reference to the great Lockheed Lightening.