Cruisemaster for first airplane

I did. I still think of cleaning up that mess. We actually did have a Dean Wormer at the little college I went to in Colorado Springs. This was a few years before the film. He fit the part, perfectly.
 
BTW., most O435A production went overseas. Fokker built about 100 S-11 trainers using that engine- another 50 or so were license built in Brazil. I think more were used in Yugoslavian built trainers in the mid-50s. Dan
 
I'd been wondering about that, Dan, because the type data sheet for the O435 has the A1 and A2, the latter being rated at 225hp using higher compression pistons and an engine timing of 25 degrees rather than 20 for the A1. I have the parts manual for both and there are few changes I could see apart from the pistons, which were not what we'd call true high compression pistons today. Both types went to larger exhaust valves for the cylinders of course.

The true hell of it is the accessory case. The largest gear - for the starter, I believe, had barely discernible cracking on the teeth, but any cracking is too much. OMG it was hard to fine a replacement as it was specific to the A series. The gear for the engine driven fuel pump is also non-standard, and the generator is an odd-ball model Prestolite. Although I read that "A" stood for Automotive accessories, as opposed to the "C" which stood for commercial, going through classic car parts catalogs was an utter waste of time. This was not a search I conducted - which would be highly suspect - but when the generator failed I found a guy who does nothing but overhaul generators and alternators for classic and very old cars. He could find nothing close. Thus I have to wonder if this A designation really meant that.

No matter...I think we all gave the Battle fellow a sound, comprehensive briefing :shock:

Jonathan
 
My good friend a Spartan/Mooney owner, retired high offical with a world company told me this today. You Bellanca Cruisemaster owners are a strange bunch. Beards, mustaches, Studebaker cars all of you are so different. What a wonderful observation--We band of Misfit owners. We don't fit the mold of an aircraft owner pilot. Made me laugh and I loved it. We band of owner Misfits. I think I would love a Studebacker hawk. Lynn the crate N9818B :lol: :lol:
 
A Studey Hawk!! And the Avani....you could put one in a showroom today and it would look contemporary and very cool...

Oh crap! This must mean that I'm a....a.....Triple Tail owner!

I hated that Lark my Dad had when I was kid though....90 horsepower they claimed..."90 sick horses," my Dad said.

Jonathan
 
OK....I had heard that 'A' stood for automotive accessories. I'm not sure if this is true. I do know that 'C' doesn't stand for commercial. I think it means 'converted.' A 'C' engine is nothing more than a military O435-1 engine with a 'C' stamped over the -1 and used in a civilian airplane. The Bill Husk O435 installation in the 14-13 series addresses this and I also have that paperwork! If you have all the manuals on this series, you will find a lot of the military O435-11, 24 volt, interchange with the 'A' engine. As for the A2 engine, I have experience with this, too. Not only are the pistons slightly higher compression for the brown 91/96 avgas, but the valve springs were beefed up to handle the 3000+ RPM. I flew N500A a few times with this engine and though it performed well, everything beyond 2850 rpm was a waste. The prop went supersonic and pissed everyone on the ground with terrible noise. Dan.........Dean Wormer
 
Battles,

Bellanca triple-tails are wonderful flying airplanes and the only airplanes I have ever owned. That said, the real question becomes if you want to fly your airplane or spend your time trying to support it. I have to admit that I love antiques, but I probably wouldn't have bought my first Bellanca if I knew then what I knew now. The purchase price is very reasonable, but, because these airplanes were handmade in limited numbers in a time of less federal regulation, there are fewer STCs for them and it is harder to find mechanics and parts and to meet regulations.

I know this is blaspemy on this board, but if I had to do it again, I'd probably buy a Cessna 140A. It's not as fast and does not climb nearly as well; it doesn't carry the load; it's not a beautiful; but Cessna has built a boat-load of airplanes over the years and people have modified them in practically every conceivable way, so meeting regs is easier. Who doesn't know how to work on a Cessna? Mooneys might be another option. They're everywhere, they have good performance and 4 seats.

If I had followed my own advice, I'd have flown much more than I have over the past 15 years.

Good luck and thanks for your service.

CDR Mike Goldschmidt, USNR (Ret.)
 
The Lycoming O435A engine was the commercial engine. I'd heard many times that the 'A' stood for Automotive based accessories. I really don't know if this is true. The 'C' engine was nothing more than a military -1 engine installed in a civilian airplane - usually a Stinson or a Bellanca. I have most of Bill Husk's STC for the O435C installation in the 14-13 series. All you did was take a metal stamp and convert the-1 into a"C.' Strange as it may seem, it looks like more "A" engines went into military aircraft than civilian. The 'A' engine upper end had many improvements over the military engine. Better cylinder finning and a better piston/ring set. Once again, get the Lycoming O290D/D2 parts manual for the interchange. Dan
 
Ok Future Battles, What did you end up with? If you got a Cruisemaster let us know! Lynn the crate :roll:
 
Like everybody says, this is a love affair, and if your caught up in it, go for it and you'll never look back.

an alternative, (flame suit on) is the 14-19-3A There are three of them on barnstormers, all with good prices and all with exceptional perfromance. There are totally factory supported, and all the salvage yards have viking parts which most bolt right on. Yes, its not a triple tail, but it flys like a dream...Dont they all.

I personally am looking to get into a 14-19-2, I need a taildragger for what I do, but for now, I have the nose dragger (14-19-3A) and it does the job. I like the 0-470 line of engine, you cant go wrong with any of them.
 
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