Viking B-8 Kittyhawk
The Viking B-8 Kittyhawk was a United States single-engine open-cockpit biplane of the early 1930s.
| Viking B-8 Kittyhawk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Viking B-8 Kittyhawk on display at the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, Connecticut in June 2005 | |
| Role | single-engine open-cockpit biplane |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Viking Flying Boat Co |
| Designer | Allen Bourdon |
| Introduction | 1930 |
| Status | 1 airworthy, 1 preserved |
| Primary user | private pilot owners |
| Number built | 31 |
| Developed from | Bourdon B-4 |
Development
The Viking B-8 Kittyhawk was developed from the Bourdon B-4 Kittyhawk, 31 examples being built during 1930 and 1931 at Viking's factory in New Haven, Connecticut. Some aircraft were fitted with EDO floats for operation from water surfaces.
Operators
The Viking B-8 was flown by private pilot owners and by barnstorming firms who utilised the three-seat layout with a twin-passenger cockpit located ahead of separate pilot's cockpit.
Survivors
The 28th Viking B-8 is currently (2009) airworthy with a private owner in Connecticut. The 30th example is preserved on display at the New England Air Museum at Bradley International Airport near Windsor Locks, Connecticut.[1]
Reference the above statement:
As of Fall, 2015, Viking Kitty Hawk Serial #28 is undergoing restoration to airworthiness following a landing accident in 1973. Viking Kitty Hawk Serial #30 is in storage at New England Air Museum, which is seeking donations for its restoration. NC973Y is in storage in MA by its owner, restoration plans on hold. There is one basket case Bourdon Kitty Hawk for sale at Shelter Island, Long Island, NY. One other is in TX in storage and the prototype Model B-2 paperwork and a few parts is awaiting disposition. That represents all 6 remaining Bourdon and Viking Kitty Hawk biplanes of the 34 originally constructed in Rhode Island and later in CT.
(Information provided by owner of NC975M and all Bourdon Aircraft drawings and engineering data.)
Specifications
(data from Aerofiles)
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Capacity: 2 passengers
- Length: 22 ft 11 in (6.99 m)
- Wingspan: 28 ft 4 in (8.66 m)
- Useful lift: 772 lb ( kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Kinner B-5 5-cylinder radial, 125 hp (93 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 112 mph (180 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 95 mph (154 km/h)
- Stall speed: 42 mph (68 km/h)
- Range: 380 miles (610 km)
References
- Notes
- ↑ Ogden, 2007, p. 183
- Bibliography
- Ogden, Bob (2007). Aviation Museums and Collections of North America. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 0-85130-385-4.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Viking B-8 Kittyhawk. |