NC12350   Monocoupe 110

Monocoupe 110’s at the National Air Races (cont.)

The 1931 National Air Races

For those individuals who could not afford an airplane, many took great interest in the varied and exciting activities of those who could. They read the newspaper stories and listened to the radio for information. Air races, derbies and air shows offered many less fortunate a chance to forget their woes and share in the excitement of the day. A glowing ray of hope developed from this interest that private aviation would not only survive, but flourish.

Enhancing Monocoupe Corporation airplanes’ appeal were the many victories these swift designs tallied in several prestigious races. Overall, 1931 proved an astounding year as Monocoupe racers won more than 50 percent of all available prize money.  Johnny Livingston was ready for the 1931 air racing season flying his long wing Monocoupe 110 to victory after victory. At the Miami Air Races held in January, Livingston garnered two first place finishes and a second. Five months later at the Omaha Races, Livingston and the Coupe captured seven firsts, one second and one third.

Shortly before entering in the 1931 National Air Races at Cleveland, Livingston began to modify the cowl on his Monocoupe. He developed a longer cowl that consisted of two flat pieces wrapped around and connected to the speed ring. To determine the effects of these and other modifications, Livingston would whitewash his airplane and fly it through a rain cloud. After landing, he would carefully note the airflow disturbances from the resulting streaking. In turn, he would make the appropriate corrections.  On August 25, shortly before the start of the 1931 National Air Races at Cleveland, a confident Livingston took his Monocoupe to the Warner Aircraft factory in Detroit, Michigan, for an overhaul and a horsepower boost to 125 hp.

 

At these races, John Livingston and his yellow and red trimmed long wing Monocoupe 110, race number 14 emblazoned on it side, visited the winner’s circle on numerous occasions. He racked an impressive seven victories and two second place finishes of twelve events entered. His race earnings amassed to an incredible $6,180. When one considers two bits and a dime could buy a good dinner for two, these earnings were a lot of money. 

Livingston would thrill the crowd with hairpin turns at the pylons. His vertical banks only a scant twenty feet or so above the ground added much to his developing legend. He would finish his display of superb airmanship by doing a series of victory rolls at the conclusion of each race.

Before the 1931 air racing season was out, Johnny Livingston and his much-modified (but still long wing) Coupe took home forty-one first place finishes, nineteen seconds, four thirds and one fourth -  all from sixty-five starts! Not to be outdone, Vern Roberts, Bart Stevenson and Florence Klingensmith took a sizable share of first, second and third place finishes.

The 1932 National Air Races and birth of the Clipwing

The 1932 racing season proved equally if not more impressive than the previous year. Once more, Johnny Livingston’s Monocoupe took center stage in many races during 1932. Though he placed second, behind Steve Whitman, in the Miami Races’ 500 Cu. in. race, Livingston was keen to win more races and made plans to further modify his gaily painted Coupe.

In May 1932, Livingston took his Coupe to Lambert Field, St. Louis, to effect several key modifications. These modifications eventually resulted in his Monocoupe, originally certified under ATC # 327, being recertified in the Group 2 Approval category as #2-452. To many, his ship became known as the Livingston Special.”

When Livingston arrived at the mid-May 1932 Omaha Races, his Monocoupe featured a “clipped-wing” design of his own. Though Livingston designed these wings, the Monocoupe factory built them new and did not use old wings simply “clipped.” Livingston referred to his creation as a “Short-wing Monocoupe.”  Livingston’s first true test with his new wing occurred at these races. He was not disappointed! Livingston and the Coupe took six first place finishes, two thirds and one fourth.

But, Livingston was still not satisfied.  In early August 1932, Livingston returned to Detroit to install a 145 hp, Warner 145 “Super Scarab” engine. Concurrently, he formed and fitted a new, bumped cowl that reduced the frontal area and faired further rearward than the original cowl. Johnny Livingston believed he and his Coupe, complete with midget wheels, pants, special fairings and other key airframe modifications, were now ready for the Cleveland National Air Races.

The 1932 National Air Races at Cleveland saw more Monocoupes entered than in any National Air Races previously. Some twenty-seven Monocoupe pilots registered and, in turn, won twenty-eight places in ithe money! Spunky Florence Klingensmith won the most money with Johnny Livingston second and Art Camahan third on the list.

Johnny Livingston entered several of the faster races and, in turn, had to face faster competition. He won the Cincinnati Trophy race, finished third in two events and garnered a respectable fourth place in the competitive pylon events.

Although Livingston’s Coupe could easily surpass 200 mph, often trading wins with other fiercely competitive pilots, a somewhat somber Livingston and Don Luscombe realized the racing days of the Monocoupe were numbered. The Monocoupe’s winning streak had reached its pinnacle. The competition was getting faster.

Livingston enjoyed several more victories during the balance of 1932 and early 1933 before he sold his “Livingston Special” to Jack Wright of Utica, New York, less than a year later. In turn, Wright enjoyed several air race victories in this highly-modified “Coupe”.

N501W Then and Now

N501W when owned by John Livingston in 1931 and now owned by Jim White.  Jim stopped by Sedona for breakfast one morning.

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