The Bellanca Viking and Super Viking are a series of single-engine, four-seat, high performance, retractable gear aircraft manufactured in the USA during the 1960s and 1970s. The aircraft developed through modifications of classic designs by the aviation pioneer Giuseppe Bellanca. A total of 1,356 Vikings have been produced with most production between 1968 and 1975 (1019 planes).
The Viking is a derivative of the Bellanca Cruisair, a retractable gear taildragger with two extra vertical fins on the tips of the horizontal stabilizer. The 14-13 Cruisair series was developed into the larger, more powerful 14-19 Cruisemaster in the early 1950s. After the original Bellanca company went out of business, Downer Aircraft took over the type certificate and built the 14-19-2 Cruisemaster by mating the airframe with a Continental O-470 of 230 hp. In 1958, Downer redesigned the airplane with a nosewheel and fuel injected IO-470 of 260 hp, and redesignated it the 260. The 14-19-3 260 retained the wire-braced triple tail into the 1962 model year. After that year, the triple tail design was modified to a single tail with the same aggregate surface area, and manufactured as the Model 260A. The later Vikings retain the oversized vertical fin that contributes to the distinctive flying characteristics of the aircraft. The Viking model was born out of discussions at Downer for a bigger version of the "Model 260" with at least 300 horsepower. The company was based in Minnesota and employed skilled craftsmen who manufactured the wing from spruce, and the new 300 hp model was named the "Viking" in respect to the many Scandinavians of the area.
The first Model 17 Viking appeared in 1967 called the "17-30." It was powered by a 300 hp Continental IO-520-K. In 1969, a Viking powered by a 290 hp (later 300 hp) Lycoming IO-540 was introduced, either normally aspirated (17-31) or turbocharged (17-31TC).
Over the years there were a number of refinements to the aircraft. The original hydraulic gear and flap actuation system was redesigned in 1968 introducing electric flaps. In 1969, the FAA issued Type Certificate A18CE and the aircraft built under that design were designated the "A" series "Super Vikings". Aside from refinements already made to late Viking 300 models, the new 300A Vikings (17-30A, 17-31A and 17-31ATC) had a gross weight increase to 3,325 lbs. The original complex fuel system with five tanks and two fuel selectors allowing eight possible combinations of selector settings was simplified to a left, right and auxiliary system in 1974. After several years of financial losses, Viking sales became profitable again in 1978.[1] In 1979, Continental-powered Vikings sported a fully enclosed nosewheel thanks to a redesign of the engine mount. This necessitated the use of cowl flaps for the first time on the Viking but resulted in a 12 mph increase. In 1979 production of the Lycoming-powered 17-31A ceased. In 1996, the Continental IO-550 was made available as an option.
Since 2002, the company has been operated by a group of six Bellanca enthusiasts who bought the company from the state of Minnesota and established Alexandria Aircraft Co. LLC. They provide technical support and parts to owners and A&Ps in the field. They have sold one new aircraft, manufactured in 2005.
The aircraft fuselage is constructed from tubular steel overlaid with fabric, while the wings are fashioned from spruce with a plywood skin.
Bill Cox, an aviation journalist at Plane and Pilot Magazine commented regarding the flying qualities of Vikings that they "have long been famous for control response and harmony that seems almost psychic in nature",[2] and asserted, "Owners almost unanimously pronounce the Viking the best handling airplane they've ever flown."[2]
Variantsedit
17-30 Viking 300
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a 224-kW (300-hp) Continental IO-520-K piston engine.
17-31 Viking 300
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a 224-kW (300-hp) Lycoming IO-540 piston engine.
17-31TC Viking 300
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a 224-kW (300-hp) Lycoming IO-540 piston engine, the aircraft is fitted with turbocharger.
17-30A Super Viking 300A
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a 224-kW (300-hp) Continental IO-520-K piston engine.
17-31A Super Viking 300A
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a 224-kW (300-hp) Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 piston engine.
17-31ATC Turbo Super Viking 300A
Four-seat light cabin aircraft, powered by a 224-kW (300-hp) Lycoming IO-540-K1E5 piston engine, the aircraft is fitted with two Rajay turbochargers.
Specifications (1976 17-30A Super Viking 300A)edit
Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976–77[3]
Taylor, John W. R., ed. (1976). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1976-77. London: Jane's Yearbooks. ISBN0-354-00538-3.
Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 151.
World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. File 890 Sheet 24.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bellanca Viking.
aerofiles.com
The Bellanca Super Viking
December 18, 2023
bellanca, viking, super, viking, series, single, engine, four, seat, high, performance, retractable, gear, aircraft, manufactured, during, 1960s, 1970s, aircraft, developed, through, modifications, classic, designs, aviation, pioneer, giuseppe, bellanca, total. The Bellanca Viking and Super Viking are a series of single engine four seat high performance retractable gear aircraft manufactured in the USA during the 1960s and 1970s The aircraft developed through modifications of classic designs by the aviation pioneer Giuseppe Bellanca A total of 1 356 Vikings have been produced with most production between 1968 and 1975 1019 planes 17 30 VikingA 1972 Model 17 30ARole Utility aircraftManufacturer Alexandria AircraftBellancaFirst flight 1967Number built 1 356Bellanca Super Viking landing Contents 1 Development and design 2 Variants 3 Specifications 1976 17 30A Super Viking 300A 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksDevelopment and design editThe Viking is a derivative of the Bellanca Cruisair a retractable gear taildragger with two extra vertical fins on the tips of the horizontal stabilizer The 14 13 Cruisair series was developed into the larger more powerful 14 19 Cruisemaster in the early 1950s After the original Bellanca company went out of business Downer Aircraft took over the type certificate and built the 14 19 2 Cruisemaster by mating the airframe with a Continental O 470 of 230 hp In 1958 Downer redesigned the airplane with a nosewheel and fuel injected IO 470 of 260 hp and redesignated it the 260 The 14 19 3 260 retained the wire braced triple tail into the 1962 model year After that year the triple tail design was modified to a single tail with the same aggregate surface area and manufactured as the Model 260A The later Vikings retain the oversized vertical fin that contributes to the distinctive flying characteristics of the aircraft The Viking model was born out of discussions at Downer for a bigger version of the Model 260 with at least 300 horsepower The company was based in Minnesota and employed skilled craftsmen who manufactured the wing from spruce and the new 300 hp model was named the Viking in respect to the many Scandinavians of the area The first Model 17 Viking appeared in 1967 called the 17 30 It was powered by a 300 hp Continental IO 520 K In 1969 a Viking powered by a 290 hp later 300 hp Lycoming IO 540 was introduced either normally aspirated 17 31 or turbocharged 17 31TC nbsp Bellanca Super Viking photographed at Centennial AirportOver the years there were a number of refinements to the aircraft The original hydraulic gear and flap actuation system was redesigned in 1968 introducing electric flaps In 1969 the FAA issued Type Certificate A18CE and the aircraft built under that design were designated the A series Super Vikings Aside from refinements already made to late Viking 300 models the new 300A Vikings 17 30A 17 31A and 17 31ATC had a gross weight increase to 3 325 lbs The original complex fuel system with five tanks and two fuel selectors allowing eight possible combinations of selector settings was simplified to a left right and auxiliary system in 1974 After several years of financial losses Viking sales became profitable again in 1978 1 In 1979 Continental powered Vikings sported a fully enclosed nosewheel thanks to a redesign of the engine mount This necessitated the use of cowl flaps for the first time on the Viking but resulted in a 12 mph increase In 1979 production of the Lycoming powered 17 31A ceased In 1996 the Continental IO 550 was made available as an option Since 2002 the company has been operated by a group of six Bellanca enthusiasts who bought the company from the state of Minnesota and established Alexandria Aircraft Co LLC They provide technical support and parts to owners and A amp Ps in the field They have sold one new aircraft manufactured in 2005 The aircraft fuselage is constructed from tubular steel overlaid with fabric while the wings are fashioned from spruce with a plywood skin Bill Cox an aviation journalist at Plane and Pilot Magazine commented regarding the flying qualities of Vikings that they have long been famous for control response and harmony that seems almost psychic in nature 2 and asserted Owners almost unanimously pronounce the Viking the best handling airplane they ve ever flown 2 Variants edit17 30 Viking 300 Four seat light cabin aircraft powered by a 224 kW 300 hp Continental IO 520 K piston engine 17 31 Viking 300 Four seat light cabin aircraft powered by a 224 kW 300 hp Lycoming IO 540 piston engine 17 31TC Viking 300 Four seat light cabin aircraft powered by a 224 kW 300 hp Lycoming IO 540 piston engine the aircraft is fitted with turbocharger 17 30A Super Viking 300A Four seat light cabin aircraft powered by a 224 kW 300 hp Continental IO 520 K piston engine 17 31A Super Viking 300A Four seat light cabin aircraft powered by a 224 kW 300 hp Lycoming IO 540 K1E5 piston engine 17 31ATC Turbo Super Viking 300A Four seat light cabin aircraft powered by a 224 kW 300 hp Lycoming IO 540 K1E5 piston engine the aircraft is fitted with two Rajay turbochargers Specifications 1976 17 30A Super Viking 300A editData from Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1976 77 3 General characteristicsCrew 1 Capacity 3 passengers Length 26 ft 4 in 8 03 m Wingspan 34 ft 2 in 10 41 m Height 7 ft 4 in 2 24 m Wing area 161 5 sq ft 15 00 m2 Airfoil Bellanca B Empty weight 2 217 lb 1 006 kg Max takeoff weight 3 325 lb 1 508 kg Fuel capacity 60 US gal 50 imp gal 230 L usable fuel normal 75 US gal 62 imp gal 280 L with auxiliary tanks Powerplant 1 Continental IO 520 K air cooled flat six engine 300 hp 220 kW Propellers 2 or 3 bladed McCauley constant speed propeller 6 ft 8 in 2 03 m diameterPerformance Cruise speed 188 mph 303 km h 163 kn TAS 75 power max cruise Stall speed 70 mph 110 km h 61 kn wheels and flaps down CAS Never exceed speed 226 mph 364 km h 196 kn IAS Range 923 mi 1 485 km 802 nmi max fuel Service ceiling 17 000 ft 5 200 m Rate of climb 1 170 ft min 5 9 m s Takeoff run to 50 ft 15 m 1 420 ft 433 m Landing run from 50 ft 15 m 1 340 ft 408 m See also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Beechcraft Bonanza Cessna 210 Mooney M20 Piper PA 24 ComancheNotes edit Air Progress 12 November 1978 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Missing or empty title help a b Cox Bill Bellanca Viking Wood Fabric amp Genius Archived from the original on 26 July 2011 Retrieved 19 June 2011 Taylor 1976 p 235 This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message References editTaylor John W R ed 1976 Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1976 77 London Jane s Yearbooks ISBN 0 354 00538 3 Taylor Michael J H 1989 Jane s Encyclopedia of Aviation London Studio Editions p 151 World Aircraft Information Files London Bright Star Publishing File 890 Sheet 24 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bellanca Viking History of Early Viking Design stored on archive org Bellanca Viking Reference Room with links Bellanca Viking FAQ Bellanca Aircraft Official Site aerofiles com The Bellanca Super Viking Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bellanca Viking amp oldid 1157097635, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
