The Aeronca Champion is a light plane produced in the years following World War II. After war's end, Aeronca resumed production of its three most popular models, the Chief, Super Chief and the Defender, and introduced a new model, the Champion. Certified on October 18, 1945, the “Champ” became Aeronca's most popular aircraft.

The Champion was a tandem two-seater trainer that incorporated components (wings, landing gear, tail, and 65-horsepower Continental engine) from the existing Chief line, reducing manufacturing costs. Selling for $2,095, the Champ outsold the Chief by an 8 to 1 margin. Engine upgrades in 1948 and 1949 resulted in the Models 7DC and 7EC. Between 1945 and 1950, Aeronca was producing 50 light aircraft per day and by the time production ended in 1951, the company had sold more than 10,000 Champions.

Variants:
7AC - Continental A65 engine
7BCM - Continental C85 engine.  Military L-16A, 509 built, 376 produced for the Air National Guard.
7CC - Continental C90 engine
7CCM - Continental C90 engine.  Military L-16B.  100 built.  Used as training aircraft for U.S. Army.
7DC - Continental C85 engine
7EC - Continental C90 engine

NOTE: The aircraft pictured above started life as an L-16B.  After a career in the U.S. Army, it ended up as part of the Eighth Army Flying Club in Korea with USA registration.   Shortly before my departure from Korea in August, 1969, this aircraft was in an accident at a remote airfield. It was trucked back to A805 and I was told there were plans to repair it. However, the registration was cancelled in 1973.