Bellanca 14-13 Cruisair Senior

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellanca_14-13

The Bellanca 14-13 Cruisair Senior and its successors were a family of light
aircraft that were manufactured in the United States by AviaBellanca Aircraft
after World War II. They were a follow-up to the prewar Bellanca 14-7 and its
derivatives.

While retaining the Bellanca 14-7's basic design, the 14-13 featured an enlarged
cabin, a horizontally opposed Franklin 6A4-335-B3 150 hp (112 kW) engine in
place of the earlier models' Le Blond radial and an oval vertical endplate on
each horizontal stabiliser. This latter feature gained the type the affectionate
nickname "cardboard Constellation", because the arrangement was similar to the
contemporary Lockheed Constellation airliner.

Taking its name from the Bellanca tradition of identifying the series from the
wing area in square feet, dropping the final digit, while the second number was
the aircraft's horsepower, again dropping the final digit, the 14-13 did not
quite fit the naming convention. The Bellanca 14-13 wing was constructed of
wood, while the fuselage was welded steel-tube framework with a fabric covering.

The 14-13 was introduced in 1946; in its improved 14-13-3 version the aircraft
remained in production until 1956.


Role
Civil utility aircraft

Manufacturer
Bellanca

First flight
November 13, 1945

Number built
Around 600

Developed from
Bellanca 14-7

Variants
Bellanca 17-30

Designed and produced in the post-World War II era, the Bellanca 14-13 Cruisair
Senior was aimed at a general aviation market. Pilot/owners were offered a
combination of performance, low engine power and a modest price. Its performance
and structural strength also made it attractive for utility work, but in many
ways the Bellanca design was an anachronism, relying on a conventional landing
gear configuration and wood-and-fabric construction that harkened back to an
earlier age. Postwar economics along with a glut of surplus military aircraft
precluded heavy sales although about 600 were produced.

Despite its introduction into a period where private aircraft sales were
stagnant, the aircraft remained popular through all of its incarnations and
today is considered a classic cabin monoplane and is much in demand.

Variants

14-13 Initial model introduced in 1946

14-13-2 Improved model introduced in 1947. Featured a longer-span stabilizer
with smaller endplates and an external baggage door.

14-13-3 Improved model introduced in 1948, which remained in production until
1956

14-13W "Wagon" version with plywood-lined cabin and removable rear seats

14-19 190 hp (142 kW) version introduced in 1949

14-19-2 230 hp (172 kW) version introduced in 1957

14-19-3 260 hp (194 kW) tricycle gear version introduced in 1959 by Downer
Aircraft

Downer 260B Model 14-19-3A Last version built by Downer Aircraft priced at
$19,500 in 1962 - Powered by a 260 hp (194 kW) Continental IO-470-F engine

Downer 260C Model 14-19-3C Version built by Inter-Air with revised empennage and
260 hp (194 kW) Continental IO-470-F engine


Specifications (14-13-2)

General characteristics
Crew: one pilot
Capacity: three passengers
Length: 21 ft 4 in (6.5 m)
Wingspan: 34 ft 2 in (10.42 m)
Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Gross weight: 2,150 lb (975 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Franklin 6A4-150-B3, 150 hp (112 kW)

Performance
Maximum speed: 165 mph (266 km/h)
Range: 600 miles (970 km)
Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,900 m)





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