Bellanca CD

The Bellanca CD was the first aircraft designed for the Maryland Pressed Steel Company, by the aircraft designer Giuseppe Mario Bellanca. The aircraft was also called the Bellanca C.D. or the "CD Tractor Biplane".

Bellanca CD
Role Biplane trainer
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Maryland Pressed Steel Company
Designer Giuseppe Mario Bellanca
First flight September 1917
Introduction 1917
Number built 6

Development

In 1916, the Maryland Pressed Steel Company hired Giuseppe Mario Bellanca to develop a two-seat biplane with intention to sell examples to the government during the war effort.

The two seat plane was built at the Pope Avenue factory in Hagerstown, Maryland, and test flown at Doub's Meadow field. On what is now South Hagerstown High School.[1]

Bellanca had previously designed his own parasol aircraft in Sicily, bring the examples to New York to test fly. The Bellanca Aeroplane Company and Flying School was formed in 1911 at Mineola Long Island New York, where Bellanca taught the Mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia.

Design

The Bellanca CD was a two-seat biplane using wing warping for roll control.

Operational history

Although 6 examples were built, the aircraft did not go into full production after the end of World War I brought a halt to new contracts. One employee, Lewis E. Reisner, went on to form Reisner Aero Service Company in Hagerstown, which eventually became the Kreider Reisner Aircraft Company.[2]

Variants

The follow on aircraft, was the Bellanca CE, with a 55 hp engine.

Specifications Bellanca CD

Data from Air and Space Museum

General characteristics

  • Capacity: 2
  • Length: 26 ft (7.9 m)
  • Empty weight: 400 lb (181 kg)
  • Gross weight: 775 lb (352 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Anzani 3-cylinder radial, 35 hp (26 kW)

Performance

  • Cruise speed: 74 kn (85 mph, 137 km/h)

Notes
  1. "The Hagerstown Airport" (PDF).
  2. Frank Woodring, Suanne Woodring. Fairchild Aircraft.

References
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