It is a little-known fact that Bellanca also developed a twin-engine version of this aircraft called the "77-140", powered by two Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines mounted in the upper wings. Although the USAAC was not interested, they managed to sell three of them to the Columbian Air Force. They had folding wings, could operate on wheels or floats and could be used as transports, bombers or torpedo-bombers. At that time (1934) Columbia was at war with Peru and was buying up any aircraft it could get.
francis dec, 29.04.2022 03:16
Rex's Hangar?
Anonymous, 06.02.2022 16:24
This distinctive-looking aircraft was quite successful for its' day. Like all Bellanca's, it had good performance and was very efficient. The biggest problem with it was that, in 1934, the U.S. changed its' rules and no longer permitted the operation of single-engine passenger transports. However, many of the surviving Bellanca Aircruisers ended up in Canada, where they made excellent bush planes and had long careers.
John Dale, e-mail, 19.02.2018 05:24
It's surprising that the Bellancas after 1938 are still being flown. The 14-13-2 Cruisair, The 14-19 Cruisemaster series, the 17-30 Viking series for examples. They are missing! And you can go to many airports and find them.
Geoffrey Pool, e-mail, 17.11.2013 12:54
My comment is not about this aircraft, but about the absence of any mention of the Bellanca 14-9l Cruisair, one of which hanging at Charlotte Airport, North Carolina (N1KQ) that used to belong to State Airlines, as it says on the fuselage. This must be a famous aircraft in some way.
Gene Zutell, e-mail, 14.10.2013 06:14
In the summer of 2012, I saw a Bellanca Aircruiser in an aircraft museum just a few miles south of Tillamook, Oregon. The museum is housed in an old all wood WWII Navy blimp hanger. Quite a building.
Al nelson, e-mail, 16.07.2010 00:48
I work for the Western Canada Aviation Museum in Winnipeg. We tried for many years to acquire the Bellanca, CF-BTW but the asking price, (about one million), was way beyond our means. I don't know what Jack paid for it but I am sure it was more than we could afford. We tried for several years to get the previous owner to let us have it at a reasonable price but he wanted cash. By the way, Jack erickson was kind enough to donate some parts (tires, wheels and brakes), for our restoration of CF-AWR.
j.d. anderson, e-mail, 16.07.2009 08:40
This aircraft was sold c/w wheels, skies, and floats in the mid 80,s to Ericson of Ericson skycrane in medford oregon and flown from canada to its new home in medford. Although I complement ericson for having aquired this aircraft, I was disappointed that some real attempt to buy by some canadain museum, as the real history of this aircraft was all canadian as a real bush plane both summer and winter. j.d.anderson ps I do have pics of the above aircraft in its new hanger
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