C2 Cardinal • wp.archivoaereo.com

The St. Louis Aircraft Corporation, based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, was a subsidiary of the St. Louis Car Company, an automobile manufacturing firm. In 1928, the company designed and built a braced high-wing monoplane with a fixed landing gear—the St. Louis C2-60 Cardinal—featuring a side-by-side two-person cockpit.

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Origin and Development

The Cardinal C2-60, powered by a 65 hp LeBlond 5D radial engine, made its first flight in 1928. Production began in a small series from 1929, with only ten aircraft assembled, largely due to its rather average flight performance.

Cardinal Variants and Evolution

Another small series was released in 1929. The Senior Cardinal C2-90 was developed to use a 90 hp LeBlond 7D engine, with only six units of this model being built. The Super Cardinal C2-100, which offered superior flight characteristics, was fitted with a 110 hp Warner Scarab engine.

By the end of 1929, the Super Cardinal C2-110 variant emerged, featuring a 100 hp Kinner K5 engine, with six aircraft constructed. The company made another attempt to build a more successful airplane, resulting in the Cardinal C2-85, a modification of the C2-90 with an 85 hp LeBlond 5DF engine. However, no orders were received for this final iteration.

Challenges and Suspension of Operations

Despite ongoing efforts to improve aircraft performance and market appeal, the St. Louis Aircraft Corporation faced low demand. Consequently, the company’s operations were suspended until the end of the 1930s, marking a challenging period for the firm.