Bellanca Cruisair Aircraft Restoration: Chapter 1

Follow the progress on our 1947 Bellanca Cruisair from her current condition to soaring the skies again. Designed by one of the pioneers of aviation, Giuseppe Mario Bellanca, the Bellanca Cruisair was manufactured from the mid-1930s onwards, starting with the Model 14-7. This particular model we are restoring is a 14-13-2. It’s a slight upgrade from the 14-13 featuring a longer span stabilizer and an external baggage compartment. The Franklin engine we purchased has also been upgraded from a 150hp to a 165hp. Part 1 of our restoration features Dave and I’s journey to purchase the airplane and transport it from Michigan back to Florida.

Part 2 ►    • Bellanca Cruisair Aircraft Restoratio...  
Part 3 ►    • Bellanca Cruisair Aircraft Restoratio...  
Part 4 ►    • Bellanca Cruisair Aircraft Restoratio...  
Part 5 ►    • Bellanca Cruisair Restoration: Chapter 5  

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Owning a classic airplane like a Bellanca Cruisair can seem like an unobtainable dream for someone without boat loads of money. But I’m here to tell you that with the right relationships and skillsets, it is very possible. After years of talking about a collaboration, the timing was finally right for Dave, Brian and I. We had no idea we would be purchasing this kind of project. The original intention was to buy an airplane that was already airworthy, but after numerous attempts to find an airplane in our budget that hadn’t been Earl Scheib’d (painted just to look pretty and cover up wear), we knew we had to keep looking. After going back and forth between a Globle Swift and Bellanca Cruisair, we fell in love with the capabilities of the Cruisair and finally found the right project to restore one. It’s a tailwheel with retractable gear featuring a 34’ wingspan and can cruise at 150mph with room for 3 passengers. The compound curves of the fuselage and the history made it easy to fall in love with. As you can imagine, it is a dream come true for me to own a machine like this and be involved in this restoration process. I hope you enjoy Part 1 and I’m excited to share the progress with you. Comment below if you have any questions or thoughts to share.

#aircraft #restoration #bellanca #cruisair #vintageairplane #history #flightvlog #flying #pilot #pilotlife #aviation #historicairplane #historicaircraft #bellancacruisair #michigan #florida #staugustine #bradyskye

If you are new to this channel, welcome aboard! My name is Brady and I'm a filmmaker and pilot based in Florida. But above all I am a husband, father, and friend. On this channel you may notice I love the outdoors, traveling the world, history, and aviation. To fill in the gaps when I am not traveling or exploring I enjoy gaming and have been an avid gamer my whole life. Adventure is out there! Let's get to it.