Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker
- Period: Interwar (1919-1938)
- Uses: Bush Flying
- First Flight: 1925 (Bellanca WB-1)
- Display Status: On the Museum Floor.
Bellanca Pacemakers were renowned for their reliability and weight-lifting attributes, which contributed to their successful operation in the Canadian bush. Canadian-operated Bellancas were initially imported from the United States, but later six were built by Canadian Vickers in Montreal and delivered to the RCAF, which used them mainly for aerial photography.
Many long-distance records were set by Bellanca monoplanes. Charles Lindbergh commissioned the Spirit of St. Louis only when he failed to acquire the second prototype Bellanca WB-2. This Bellanca, named Columbia, flew from New York to Germany only two weeks after Lindbergh’s famous flight. In 1931, a diesel-powered Bellanca set an unrefuelled endurance record of 84 hours and 33 minutes. A distinguishing feature of all Bellancas was the airfoil shape of the wing struts , which contributed additional lift and stability.
Museum Example
- Registration #: CF-ATN
- Manufacturer: Bellanca Aircraft Corporation, United States
- Manufacture Date: 1929
- Construction #: 181
- Aquisition Date: 1964
- Provenance: Purchase
The Museum aircraft is the only known remaining Pacemaker. It operated commercially in Alaska and the lower 48 states from 1929 until 1964, when it was purchased and flown to the Museum.
Specifications
- Wing Span:
- 14.1 m (46 ft 4 in)
- Length:
- 8.5 m (27 ft 9 in)
- Height:
- 2.5 m (8 ft 4 in)
- Weight, Empty:
- 1,032 kg (2,275 lb)
- Weight, Gross:
- 1,847 kg (4,072 lb)
- Cruising Speed:
- 177 km/h (110 mph)
- Max Speed:
- 225 km/h (140 mph)
- Rate of Climb:
- 355 m (1,100 ft) /min
- Service Ceiling:
- 5,490 m (18,000 ft)
- Range:
- 1,368 km (850 mi)
- Power Plant:
- one Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr., 450 hp, 9-cylinder radial engine
