Dan Cullman
New member
I have a really nice photo of the original 14-9 in flight, sans triple tail. Why did GMB add this at a later time? Dan
Early Bellancas
- Thread starter Dan Cullman
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CruisairPilot
New member
Dan,
I recall the addition of the kidney shaped outboard stabilizer fins was due to a trait in ship 1002 breaking into a spin too early. Up elevator travel was also changed (limited) at the same time, to modify the spin characteristics (method used on the Ercoupe).
Gary
I recall the addition of the kidney shaped outboard stabilizer fins was due to a trait in ship 1002 breaking into a spin too early. Up elevator travel was also changed (limited) at the same time, to modify the spin characteristics (method used on the Ercoupe).
Gary
Dan Cullman
New member
The prototype 'Junior' was well into the certification process when it was spun into the ground, killing the test pilot. I have a copy of the CAA accident report that I got from John Underwood. Normally, the airplane was equipped with a 'spin chute' and the pilot had a parachute, as well. Neither were used. GMB made changes that included adding the aux fins and shortly thereafter, the 14-9 was certified. This I'll have published at a later date. I'm glad to see a few read the more obscure forums. Dan
Dan Cullman
New member
Does anyone have info on any of the 28 series Bellancas that survived WW2?????????????? Dan
alabamaflyboy
New member
Dan,
I seem to recall being at a Bellanca Owner's Group banquet at Oshkosh years ago when August Bellanca was the guest speaker. If my memory serves me correctly, during the Q&A session after his presentation, he said that the "elephant ears" were added at the very last minute to resolve the spin recovery problem that they were having. They were literally down to the last day to get the plane certified or they would lose their funding, and the plane would just not pass the hands-off spin recovery requirements. It would take too long to enlarge the vertical stabilizer and recover the tail, so as a last, desparate measure, they tacked on the aux fins and got the plane certified. Since it was certified with the fins, that was the way that they had to manufacture it. Then the triple tail kind of became a signature of the Bellanca planes to the flying public and they kept it through later designs.
By the way, August is an innovative engineer in his own right. His Skyrocket II composite airplane is right at home in today's market, but it was designed waaaay back in the 70s, if I remember correctly. About the time of the Windecker Eagle. Unfortunately, he was unable to get enough venture capital to get the plane into production. The plane was possibly too far ahead of its time back then. That seems to be a common thread throughout the Bellanca history.
Dave
I seem to recall being at a Bellanca Owner's Group banquet at Oshkosh years ago when August Bellanca was the guest speaker. If my memory serves me correctly, during the Q&A session after his presentation, he said that the "elephant ears" were added at the very last minute to resolve the spin recovery problem that they were having. They were literally down to the last day to get the plane certified or they would lose their funding, and the plane would just not pass the hands-off spin recovery requirements. It would take too long to enlarge the vertical stabilizer and recover the tail, so as a last, desparate measure, they tacked on the aux fins and got the plane certified. Since it was certified with the fins, that was the way that they had to manufacture it. Then the triple tail kind of became a signature of the Bellanca planes to the flying public and they kept it through later designs.
By the way, August is an innovative engineer in his own right. His Skyrocket II composite airplane is right at home in today's market, but it was designed waaaay back in the 70s, if I remember correctly. About the time of the Windecker Eagle. Unfortunately, he was unable to get enough venture capital to get the plane into production. The plane was possibly too far ahead of its time back then. That seems to be a common thread throughout the Bellanca history.
Dave
Dan Cullman
New member
What you say is true, as far as I can determine. The first "Junior" flew quite a bit without the aux fins. However, that airplane was successfully spun into the ground, killing the test pilot. GM made the changes and the rest is history. Dan
shipchief
New member
Dan;
How about a progress report on your CH?
For the benefit of the readers; Marilyn and I stopped in the other day and Dan was in his garage covering an aileron.
What a nice piece of engineered wood.
Dan had it set up with the trailing edge up, and was working with an iron on the fabric.
The CH is a big project that requires a lot of commitment. I love looking at it, Dan is doing such a good job.
How about a progress report on your CH?
For the benefit of the readers; Marilyn and I stopped in the other day and Dan was in his garage covering an aileron.
What a nice piece of engineered wood.
Dan had it set up with the trailing edge up, and was working with an iron on the fabric.
The CH is a big project that requires a lot of commitment. I love looking at it, Dan is doing such a good job.
Dan Cullman
New member
I'm up to the point of the first coat of polybrush on all components of the empennage and ailerons. The empennage had been on the CH at Dan Stewart's hangar and rigged to fit with the trim, elevators (yes, they are independent and each have their own up and down cables) and rudder cables. Now, I need to do a pre-cover assembly of the wings on the fuselage to rig and check routing of the aileron and balance cables. I'll need to get a sheetrock lift to get the wings up seven feet. This airplane has been apart since 1945 and I'm sure a few surprises lurk. I want to find them before cover..........hahahaha