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Aviation History
1922
1922 - 0557.PDF
SEPTEMBER 28, 192: THE BELLANCA CF FIVE-SEATER COMMERCIAL " SESQUIPLAN " ON the occasion of the flying meeting held at Monmouth, 111., U.S.A., last June, some considerable stir was caused in aviation circles by the appearance of a new American-built machine, which carried off the first prizes in the four com petitions in which it took part. This machine was the Bellanca CF five-seater cabin-type " Sesquiplan," or " one-and-a- half-plane." It has been designed by G. M. Bellanca—who was responsible for the successful small, low-powered biplanes Before passing on to a brief description of this machine, it may be of interest to refer to the events won by this machine at the Monmouth meeting—previously mentioned. In a speed contest, it covered the 15-mile triangular course in 9 mins. 15 sees., as against 11 mins. 30 sees, put up by the second machine, fitted with a 150 h.p. engine. In the gliding contest it took 4 mins. 43 sees, to descend (engine off) from 2,000, covering a distance of 4J miles, equivalent to a gliding THE BELLANCA CF 5-SEATER " SESQUIPLAN Front view. bearing his name of 1918—with the financial assistance of Victor H. Roos and others of Omaha, Nebr. The Bellanca CF embodies several noteworthy features, such as, apart from general design, low landing speed and •quick take-off, high speed with high pay load, simplicity •of design, low head resistance—although not of the cantilever or internally-braced type, external bracing wires are con spicuous for their absence—and economy. The primary object before the designer was to produce a machine with an increased carrying capacity per h.p. of useful load, which at the same time had a low cost of manufacture and low cost of maintenance. Actual flights have demonstrated that the above charac- angle of 1 in 12. Such a performance indicates a valuable feature in the event of an engine failure when on a cross country flight, enabling the pilot to look around for a suitable landing ground. Another event was the climbing contest, in which this machine, reached an altitude of 7,000 ft. in 11 mins. As will be seen from the accompanying illustrations, the Bellanca CF is a monoplane with comparatively small auxiliary planes, set at a fairly pronounced dihedral angle, underneath the main planes, and serving as braces for the latter. The fuselage, which is of good streamline form, is of the composite type, and is of box-veneer construction with internal rein forcing of Port Orford cedar, forming a stiff frame of triangles and box-girder construction with cables and wires. The THE BELLANCA CF 5-SEATER " SESQUIPLAN " : Rear view, showing the pilot's cockpit. -teristics have been successfully fulfilled, and a remarkably efficient machine produced. With a 90 h.p. Anzani engine and pilot and four passengers, the Bellanca CF accomplished a speed of 109-8 m.p.h., over the measured course (six half- mile flights, three each direction) at the Fort Crook Army Field. The landing speed is claimed to be as low as 30 m.p.h. In the trial flights the machine handled remarkably well, and showed a remarkable degree of inherent stability—• flying several complete circles with only the rudder control in action. It also carried out all the usual " stunts " (loops, •spins, etc.) in a satisfactory manner. forward portion, just behind the engine, is formed into a roomy cabin at the top of which are the main plane attach ments. The position of the cabin is such that the weight of the passengers coincides, at all times, with the centre of gravity of the machine. Thus the machine is always well- balanced, whether with full or light load. The cabin is of veneer construction, and accommodates four passengers, with comfort, the rear passengers facing forward, whilst those in front can face either forward or backward. Should occasion arise, six passengers can easily be taken in the cabin. On eaoh side of the cabin are three windows, and in front a
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