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Aviation History
1926
1926 - 0010.PDF
JANUARY 7, 1926 THE WRIGHT-BELLANCA SIX-SEATER An American Commercial Cabin Machine AN American commercial aeroplane that gave rise to a certainamount of interest on the occasion of the last Xew York Air Meet, held in October, during which it obtained first placein the efficiency test in Event No. 5 (Aviation Town and Country Club of Detroit Trophy Kace) was the Wright-Bellanca—a six-seater, built around the 200 li.p. Wright " Whirlwind " engine. The importance ol speed in commercial work is one ofthe primary factors in the practical utilisation of the aeroplane It will be remembered that the latter, also an air-cooled job,put up some noteworthy records and established for itself an excellent reputation. The new model, however, besideshaving a more powerful engine and some 5-ft. more wing span, possesses many important improvements and refinements.The Wright-Bellanca it a. tractor cabin-fuselage monoplane, with fairly thick-section wings mounted on the top of the fuse-lage, and braced by struts. There are two struts for the entire external bracing of the wing on either side, and a THE WRIGHT-BELLANCA SIX-SEATER: An American commercial aeroplane fitted with a 200 h.p. Wright " Whirlwind " engine. The wing-struts also contribute to the lift. over other methods of transport. It is interesting to note,therefore, that the Wriijht-Hellanca attained an average speed over the two-mile course at Mitchel Field, with pilotand five passengers, of 138 m.p.h.—considerably higher than the performance expected by the designer himself. This new machine was designed by Mr. G. M. Bellanca,who has been responsible for several other successful designs— a low-powered biplane built in 1918 and a cabin-type mono-plane (or, to be exact, a sesquiplan) on similar lines to the machine under review built in 1922, and which was described in FLIGHT for September 28, 1922. Mr. Bellanca severed his connection with the originalBellanca firm some years ago, and the new Wright-Bellanca is being produced by the Wright Aeronautical Corp. of Paterson,N.J., who announced a short while back, that they could put this machine, including engine, on the market for about812,000, and that orders were then being booked for delivery next spring. This is an indication that the machine hasgot beyond the experimental stage, and is, in fact, an advanced and improved version of the model produced in 1922. somewhat unique feature of these struts—which extendfrom the lower longerons of the fuselage up to the wings at a point about one-third the total wing-span, from the tips-is that they also form lifting surfaces. It would seem that this form of wing bracing has given entire satisfaction inpractice, and is likely to come into more general use when the wings are not of the true cantilever form. In designing this machine very careful provision for safetyfeatures was made, including low landing speed, good vision, the elimination of fire hazard, good gliding angle (12i to 1),excellent controllability at low speeds, wide wheel track, high wing clearance, and high safety factors throughout. The cabin is exceptionally room / and is of the totally-enclosed type, the pilot being located high up right in front, immediately forward of the leading edge of the wings, wherehe has a remarkably good range of vision in all directions— except, perhaps, directly to the rear. Large windows areprovided in the main part of the cabin, access to which is obtained by means of a door in the side. The landing gear is well designed, and is of the " Oxford- THE WRIGHT-BELLANCA SIX-SEATER: Side view showing the wing bracing struts, which also form lifting surface, and the " Oxford Bags " landing chassis. 10
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