Miss Veedol – Bellanca CH-400
The first crossing of the Pacific Ocean was completed in a Bellanca CH-400 in 1931. The aircraft, “Miss Veedol,” flew from Japan to the U.S. in 41 hours. There are only two CH-400s left in the world, and one of them is right here in the Shannon Air Museum!
About the Bellanca CH-400 (source: Wikipedia)
The Bellanca CH-400 Skyrocket is a six-seat utility aircraft built in the United States in the 1930s, a continuation of the design lineage that had started with the Bellanca WB-2. Retaining the same basic airframe of the preceding CH-200 and CH-300, the CH-400 was fitted with a more powerful Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine.
Three examples were purchased by the U.S. Navy under the designation RE. Two were used for radio research, and one as an air ambulance for the U.S. Marine Corps. This latter aircraft was reconfigured to carry two stretchers.
The aircraft was also available in a deluxe version for private pilot owners, fitted with a more powerful Wasp variant providing 450 hp (336 kW) and detail enhancements.
Two of these aircraft were purchased by the government of the Dominion of Newfoundland in 1937, and one later ended in private hands. NC10294 was changed to VO-BCD and NC13155 to VO-BDF.
General characteristics
Data from American airplane specifications
Crew: one
Capacity: five passengers
Length: 27 ft 10 in (8.48 m)
Wingspan: 46 ft 4 in (14.12 m)
Height: 8 ft 4 in (2.54 m)
Wing area: 273 sq ft (25.4 m2)
Empty weight: 2,592 lb (1,176 kg)
Gross weight: 4,600 lb (2,087 kg)
Fuel capacity: 120 US gal (100 imp gal; 450 L)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Wasp C radial engine, 420 hp (310 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 155 mph (249 km/h, 135 kn)
Cruise speed: 130 mph (210 km/h, 110 kn)
Range: 750 mi (1,210 km, 650 nmi)
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
Rate of climb: 1,250 ft/min (6.4 m/s)
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Story credit Shannon Air Museum Facebook & Wikipedia / Photo courtesy of the Shannon Air Museum