Viking B-8 Kittyhawk

Viking B-8 Kittyhawk
Viking B-8 Kittyhawk on display at the New England Air Museum, Windsor Locks, Connecticut in June 2005
General information
Type	single-engine open-cockpit biplane
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Viking Flying Boat Co
Designer	Allen Bourdon
Status	1 airworthy, 1 preserved
Primary user	private pilot owners
Number built	31
History
Introduction date	1930
Developed from	Bourdon B-4

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Further reading

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