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

Model 14-19

A higher-performance design revision was granted FAA approval as the 14-19
Cruisemaster on September 26, 1949. The new model featured structural upgrades,
a 190 hp (142 kW) Lycoming O435-A engine, an increased gross weight of 2,600 lb
(1,179 kg), hydraulically operated landing gear and flaps, and a deluxe
interior. 99 of these airplanes were produced between 1949 and 1951. Externally,
a near-look-alike to the earlier models, this version was distinguished by its
larger, oval-shaped endplates. All production ceased in 1956 as Bellanca wound
up its operations.

Model 14-19-2

The 14-19 design was revived by Northern Aircraft and granted FAA approval on
January 7, 1957 as the 14-19-2 Cruisemaster. The new model featured a 230 hp
(172 kW) Continental O-470K engine, an increased gross weight of 2,700 pounds,
an updated instrument panel as well as new paint and upholstery schemes. A total
of 104 of these aircraft were produced between 1957 and 1958.

The company was renamed Downer Aircraft in 1959. Inter-Air acquired the
production rights in 1962 and was renamed as the Bellanca Sales Company, a
subsidiary of Miller Flying Service. Further development of the design by
Inter-Air resulted in the modernized Viking series introduced in 1962.

Operational history

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.

Specifications (14-13 Cruisair Senior)

General characteristics
Crew: 1
Capacity: 3 pax
Length: 21 ft 4 in (6.5 m) tail up
Wingspan: 34 ft 2 in (10.41 m)
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) tail down
Wing area: 161 sq ft (15.0 m2)
Airfoil: Bellanca B
Empty weight: 1,200 lb (544 kg)
Gross weight: 2,100 lb (953 kg)
Fuel capacity: 40 US gal (33 imp gal; 150 l) in two tanks
Powerplant: 1 × Franklin 6A4-150-B3 6 cyl. horizontally-opposed air-cooled
piston engine, 150 hp (110 kW) at 2,600 rpm
Propellers: 2-bladed Sensenich fixed pitch airscrew

Performance
Maximum speed: 169 mph (272 km/h; 147 kn) at 2,700 rpm
Cruise speed: 154 mph (248 km/h; 134 kn) at 2,435 rpm
Stall speed: 45 mph (72 km/h; 39 kn) with flaps
Rate of climb: 1,130 ft/min (5.7 m/s)
Wing loading: 13 lb/sq ft (63 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 14 lb/hp (2.875 kg/kW)
Take-off run: 162 yd (148 m)




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