The tail surfaces, wings, landing gear, and firewall forward?engine, most accessories, and cowling, are common to both airplanes. 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. Aeronca ceased all production of light aircraft in 1951, and the Champ design was sold in 1954 to Champion Aircraft.

The Aeronca L-16 was a United States Army liaison aircraft. It saw extensive service during the Korean War. It was essentially a militarized version of the Aeronca Champion. From 1955 large numbers were transferred to the Civil Air Patrol. Variants: L-16A (7BCM Champion) 509 built, 376 of them produced for the Air National Guard, used in Korea 1950, 85 hp (63 kW) Continental O-190-1 (C-85) engine. The L-16B (7CCM Champion) Military version of the Model 7AC used as training aircraft for United States Army, 90 hp (67 kW) Continental O-205-1 engine. 100 built.

Lake Erie College will eventually own the airplanes. The collection includes a Fokker DR-1, a reproduction of the triplane flown by the Red Baron in World War I; a Ryan ST3-W, a fighter-trainer plane that was used in the 1942 movie ?Dive Bomber? starring Errol Flynn and Fred MacMurray; an Interstate L-6, an observation scout plane used by General George Patton during World War II; and, an OTW Army trainer plane that was used in the movie ?The Misfits? featuring Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe.

?We are delighted to be the recipients of Gretchen Reed?s generosity and her husband?s tremendous legacy,? said Michael T. Victor, president of Lake Erie College. ?We have many opportunities to incorporate the property and collections into our academic and professional development programs. Additionally, we are excited about sharing this new learning environment with our students and alumni later this year.?

?Chuck and I did not imagine that our 68-acre purchase nearly 35 years ago would become the foundation for an aviation museum,? said Gretchen Reed. ?Pheasant Run Airport and its buildings, runways, collection of historical airplanes and memorabilia grew with the efforts of our families, friends and the local aviation community.?

Lake Erie College is an independent, liberal arts institution founded in 1856. Located in Painesville, Ohio, the College challenges its students to "get in and stand out" in academics, athletics and student activities. Lake Erie College currently serves more than 1,300 students, offers a combined 35 majors in undergraduate and graduate programs, plus the option to design an individualized major tailored to career and academic goals. The College is an NCAA Division II member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) and home to 23 intercollegiate athletic teams.