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Viking B-8 Kittyhawk

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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

The Viking B-8 Kittyhawk was an American single-engine open-cockpit biplane of the early 1930s.

Development

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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.

Operators

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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

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In 2015 Viking Kitty Hawk Serial #28 was undergoing restoration to airworthiness following a landing accident in 1973.[citation needed] Viking Kitty Hawk Serial #30 is in storage at New England Air Museum.[1]

Specifications

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Data from [2]

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 (350 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Kinner B-5 5-cylinder radial , 125 hp (93 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 112 mph (180 km/h, 97 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 95 mph (154 km/h, 83 kn)
  • Stall speed: 42 mph (68 km/h, 36 kn)
  • Range: 380 mi (610 km, 330 nmi)

References

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  1. ^ "Collections: Aircraft". New England Air Museum. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  2. ^ Aerofiles

Further reading

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  • Grey, C.G., ed. (1931). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1931. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd.
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