MORE GA! | 1972 Bellanca Super Viking

I LOVE the Bellanca Super Vikings! 2 months ago, I knew NOTHING about them. After a little research, they've stolen my heart as spectacular, undervalued (under appreciated?) GA aircraft.
Described as more sports car than pickup truck, the Super Vikings are....snug on the inside, but can still legit carry 4 adults and some bags with slightly more than 1,000lbs of payload.
They're 300HP, high performance/complex airplanes that will cruise at 165 KTAS (187 MPH) to get you and a friend (or 3) anywhere in the country in a reasonable amount to time!
They're a modern aircraft made with a steel, tubular frame, wooden spars in the wings and covered in cloth & I think that freaks people out. But in typical Italian fashion, they are MUCH better appointed than any Cessna or Piper ever was from the factory.
This particular plane is owned by my buddy Victor, one of the country's authorities on them. He runs a website dedicated to them, as well as selling good, quality used parts. See his website below, & contact him if you have ANY questions at all!!
www.bellanca.us
[e-mail]
817-925-2532
Look ME up on IG: @superguppylife
or on Twitter: @unusualattitud1

[@NorthwestAeronaut]

great showcase of the super viking! Beautiful aircraft! For clarification at 7:35 a high performance is an aircraft with more than 200hp as you stated, but has nothing to do with having a constant speed prop. A complex aircraft must have a constant speed-controllable pitch propeller, Flaps, AND retractable landing gear to be considered complex. 👍🏻

[@bobbyshaftoe]

A **TRUE** Unsung Hero of Aviation. I was lucky enough to work briefly with August Bellanca, Giuseppe's son in the 'Naughts (as the Brits say, and it has a nice ring to it :-). August grew up beside his Dad in the factory. He lived and breathed aircraft his entire life and was an elegant, novel, brilliant man. Unfortunately, that project did not come to fruition. He spoke of his Dad, and some of the things they worked on together; truly a genius of the aeroform. Giuseppe was THE master of lift and efficiency in his day. Your brief retelling of Bellanca's fall from favor is true... To further illuminate the great appreciation Charles Lindbergh (and pretty much everyone in the business back then) had for Bellanca's genius: Upon announcing his attempt to cross the Atlantic, when asked by the press "what airplane will you use"... Lindbergh, without hesitation, immediately replied: "A Bellanca, of course". I recommend doing some homework on August and crafting a followup Vidumentary on Giuseppe's (heh, heh) august son, who was an AMAZINGLY BRILLIANT aeronautical engineer and designer in his own right.. He was one of the senior aircraft designers at Pax River for the Navy, for many years, and while his work there was ground breaking (and surface-tension breaking ;-), his inspiring achievement in designing and building the Skyrocket II is truely inspiring. When considering when he designed and built it, and the fact that it has SO MUCH NASA confirmation of it's performance envelope... it is just stunning. Unsung Heroes indeed: Giuseppe & August Bellanca. The few stories he shared with me were a real blessing: Cherish those priceless moments when history pours forth, directly unto you, from the crucible of experience. Thanks for this thoughtful video. The Bellanca story is well worth preserving.

[@augustbellanca6213]

Bob, August was my father. Thank you for your kind words and for sharing his history.

[@avex19]

I would love to see more about the Super Viking, amazing GA aircraft.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Oh, you will be, I PROMISE! I’m finding myself regularly around 6, potentially 7 of them on a regular basis now. More is coming. Thanks for watching, Dan!

[@johnkreft8222]

Grew up in Alexandria MN where they built the Viking and Super Viking . Loved the sound of the 300 hp engines as they took off from the airport . They were the favorite airplane of aviation magazines till the 1980s . My father and Uncle worked at the Bellanca plant . Pity the management messed every thing up for Bellanca at least that is what my Uncle told me . I still love the Viking to this day .

[@unkameatgoodbar2315]

When learned about this aircraft I was impressed….yes these great plane …highly underated

[@robswanland7747]

Really enjoyed the video! It's was especially nice that you took the time to pay some tribute to Giuseppe Bellanca who is so often overlooked as an important pioneer in the history of aviation. It is interesting to understand the lineage of the Viking. The origin of this model dates back to 1937 as model number 14-7. There were several improvements over the following 30 years, but the one common denominator is the airfoil design. As I like to say when describing a Bellanca "the wing's the thing" and it is the primary contributor to the great handling qualities of the aircraft. A notable feature of the earlier Bellancas was the "triple-tail" design of the horizontal stabilizer, which I think is pretty cool, however the Bellanca marketing folks decided a more modern look was needed and the modern "shark fin" design came out in the mid-60s along with the Viking name. For the most part we Bellanca owners are a tight-knit group and love the unique characteristics of these birds. Minor correction to your video - there are no rivets in the wing. The wing is covered with a thin mahogany veneer with a layer of dacron fabric for strength. Smooth perfection!

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Thanks so much for the additional insight into other Bellanca models! I have learned so much about the SV and other models since filming that- I need to do another. I’d love to talk with you more about them, & of course, I’ll credit you appropriately. Shoot me an email: [e-mail] Thanks for watching!!

[@MrRacingfool]

Thanks for the video, I never knew the History about Mr. Bellanca. My dad owned a Bellanca Viking 300 in the early 70's N4819V and was a blast to fly in, I was a young kid at the time and we flew to lots of places during vacation. I'll never forget when my dad had the Bellanca at full throttle at 100 ft. above the ground over the beach of South Padre Island, Tx and the airspeed indicator was at 190 knots. The Viking was my favorite out of several other planes my dad had owned over the course of his life.

[@jaimechavez2573]

I am looking an airplane to buy, I found in Florida an 1973 Bellanca super viking, now I am reading information Bellanca´s about! The information of your father´s Bellanca is very important to me, its could be part of my decition to buy it!!! Thank you very much to share it

[@karsonbranham3900]

Great video! Bella casa are the pinnacle of classic aircraft construction, design and performance. The quietness of a wood wing and tube and fabric really is a nice departure from a spam can!

[@striker9909]

just discovered your channel because I too recently discovered Bellancas while browsing used airplanes. I think now it is the plane I will be saving my money towards. thanks for the content!

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Thanks for the compliment, and thanks for watching! There’s MUCH more Bellanca content coming!

[@chriskeller3705]

i’m starting the process of getting my private pilot training and certification. I have a discovery flight next week. Hopefully someday I’ll be able to buy my own plane instead of renting from the school once I have my license. Probably jumping the gun here, but the Super Viking is at the top of my list!

[@rickyjohnson4623]

My late father always loved the Bellanca, thanks for the history lesson, did not know these details about him.

[@xlr8r3VA]

If I ever get the chance to get my pilot's license, the Super Viking is the plane I'll be flying. I have been studying this for years, and I believe it is the best bang for the buck when it comes to single engine general aviation aircraft.

[@AlbaSkies]

Wow that is such a cool, unique plane! Looks like a real blast.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

It really is- there’s more Bellanca Super Viking content coming! Thanks for watching!

[@AlbaSkies]

@@UnusualAttitudes Great to hear. I'll look forward to it!

[@davidduganne5939]

Debbie Gary and Bobby Bishop used to fly (aerobatic) airshow routines in Bellanca Vikings, back when they were in production. I saw Bobby Bishop several times at airshows in the Phoenix area. Having a hangar is mandatory for these birds

[@paulknight447]

Love the Vikings! Beautiful airplanes. Dream is to fly one or at least in one someday.

[@twistedtreatsandsavories5417]

I found your video while searching for more information about these beauties! I saw some photos and read some specs tonight and fell in love with them. I’m glad to have learned more about them and their creator. I’ll be looking for more content because I’m hooked!

[@jdorey3019]

Matt, I have no idea how this popped up on my feed butttt-- My name is Jon Dorey and I played bari sax at ntcc with you for Dr. B. You have an amazing life and love the videos. Long way from cruising delivering dominos in the 80s white blazer. Thanks for your service!!

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Holy CRAP, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA The KZbin algorithm is a mysterious thing! LOL I have certainly had fun in my career! I appreciate you watching and it’s great to catch up! Please subscribe, if you haven’t already- more great videos are on the horizon. (PS- I still talk to Darol Smith [drummer] pretty regularly!)

[@ginothecat]

great video - thanks for putting this out! - David (former KC-130 driver)

[@farmerhanna3695]

I will definitely be buying a super viking for my first plane

[@jeffswartwood7316]

I agree with your assessment about Giuseppe Bellanca. Great video!!

[@zxr92]

I'm waiting for the update video, "I liked the Bellanca so much, I bought one!" :)

[@jhaedtler]

The Viking is one of the strongest aircraft made and very responsive! It is a all wood wing, that is what makes it so smooth and strong!

[@unkameatgoodbar2315]

The wood wings are from the sycamore tree…strong bonding wood.

[@zxr92]

I totally forgot about these! And I thought they were just a corporate marketing stealing the Bellanca name. Then last week I saw in the local online classifieds an ad for a 1972 sitting in a hangar. Then like you, started learning about it and fell in love with these! So I am finding all the videos and information I can find. I am looking forward to your next Super Viking video!

[@billb.5887]

My favorite Bellanca is the 14-13-2. Not taking anything away from all of the others but there is something special about the 14-13-2. The wood wing can not be beat smooth ride it gives.

[@RoninTXBR549]

Nothing flies like a Bellanca!

[@curtcoltharp3719]

Once you fly one, you will be spoiled. Certainly the neatest plane that I ever flew.

[@rogersmart7082]

It is a super airplane abs among pilots it’s very underrated . I had the opportunity to get checked out in a Supwr Viking . It is my airplane of choice !

[@easttexan2933]

how sweet is that?!! what a lovely airplane. A bit noisy, but hey, that's what earphones are for, right? lol. I'm guessing fuel flow to be about 17gph or so? Thanks for sharing. Wonderful view over the nose. Very powerful.

[@KostasLazanas]

Wish you uploaded more videos bro! We miss you.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

I will be starting again soon, bro!

[@jayceec_ross]

Thanks for the background info on Mr Bellanca!!

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching!

[@crooked-halo]

Bad ass Super Viking with a beautiful paintjob! I was like; "That's Trader's Village!" I'm a roller coaster enthusiast & have been watching/videoing/documenting the construction of the Prairie Screamer roller coaster there. It's supposed to open in a few weeks. I have 8 construction videos, my only KZbin content, if anyone's interested. I live 20 min away from Grand Prairie Airport & am trying to decide which type of airplane to buy. A Super Viking is on the list, so I'm watching some Viking videos. This one is excellent.

[@j.muckafignotti4226]

Rivet heads in a Bellanca wing? Don’t make me hunt you down and beat you senseless! Brads to hold the mahogany skins to the spruce spar and wooden ribs. Rivets, BAAAAAAAH!

[@gmcjetpilot]

What rivets? The fuselage is steel tube with fabric and the wings are made from spruce (spars and ribs) with a plywood skin. You say you researched this? Bellancas are well known for this construction, this and previous models.

[@amgguy4319]

You didn't mention it's most incredible feature... How hot blow-dryers shrink wrap the body.

[@ChampionJockey_James]

Beautiful plane, looked fast… take off and landing

[@bnghjtyu767]

I have time flying these and a lot of time working on.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Sweet! Would love to hear more about it from you! Shoot me an email! ([e-mail]) Thanks for watching!

[@pilot3016]

The poor man's P-51. As a young kid, I got to fly in one from Melbourne Florida to Panama City Florida, and back. He was a salesman and pushed her hard. (That was about 1971 I believe)

[@DavidChancellor-vu4fz]

There are no “visible or protruding rivet heads on the Super Viking wing” because the Super Viking has a wooden wing with fabric skin.

[@azcountry6064]

I've got my eye on a Bellanca 17-30A Super Viking right now that's selling at a great price. I have no experience in this plane but I like how they look, their cruise speed, and useful load. Just need a plane that will carry my wife and I, two dogs, and luggage about 900 mi to see our kids and grandkids. Question, the video sounds like it's a bit louder in the cockpit. With headsets that shouldn't be much of a problem. Your video even has me a bit more interested now.

[@rpellicciotti]

Awesome airplane. Have had the pleasure of flying several of them. Bill Cunningham of Powermasters Engines in Tulsa is the best IO-520 guy in the country.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Good to know- I’ll pitch him in the next Bellanca video I do! Thanks for watching!!

[@johnapstrader3459]

Enjoyed the vid, researching for my first aircraft to learn in and build time. headed for ppl, ifr, mei commercial. not airlines, but a personal goal. would also like to to do angel flights for kids.

[@GGAviation]

Loving the Bellanca - great video, loved it :)

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Athankyou!

[@flxsuki]

Moree moreee moreeeee!!!!

[@F84Thunderjet]

Can’t beat Sitka spruce for its strength to weight ratio.

[@victorvodkafish]

Very impressive aircraft. Nothing wrong with wood & fabric. My 1947 Macchi MB.308 has a 30ft , one-piece wood & fabric wing, and wood fuselage. Easy to do repairs to any damage. My only concern about the Viking is it only has the one cabin door. My '308 has two. ..... as does my 1965 SUD GY.80 "Horizon". Mooney have only recently gone 2-door.

[@LJDRVR]

Hey, Matt! It's pronounced BELL-AINK-AH. With a long "a" on the middle syllable. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Daniel Johnson Yeah, I’m getting better about pronouncing it properly. Thanks for watching!

[@rockinthe904]

Douche Canoe!!! LOL 11:18

[@UnusualAttitudes]

😂😂😂

[@elijahmccormick1166]

I see that Nebraska shirt, you a Cornhusker?

[@CFCUvideo]

I'd like to hear more about what makes the Bellanca so fast and other info. about what makes it unique.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Coming up in a future video!

[@billeudy8481]

Smooth dacron skin stretched over a tubular steel fuselage framework. Makes it slick and strong. Stitka spruce wooden wing covered in fiberglas is also super strong and slick. The streamlined spinner wing root fillets, and fully enclosed retractable gear also helped make it fast. Buyers could choose 300 hp continental engine or a turbocharged Lycoming either of which had plenty of power to achieve a top speed of over 200 mph. The Lycoming gets the airplane up into the flight levels were the engine can take advantage of the reduced wind resistance and cold air.

[@gordiedavis6247]

Mesquite FBO has entered the chat

[@christianjforbes]

Rivet Heads? It’s a Wood Wing … there is only glue, staples & fabric

[@bikefreakstl]

Great video sir

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Athankyou! Thanks for watching!

[@tplugnickel]

I have one in my flight simulator. love it!

[@peterpedersen1641]

Hey, nice video. I am now looking at a 1974 Bellanca Super Viking to buy... 2800 total time. Low hours on rebuild, prop etc. What do you think I should pay for this plane. Looks to be in great condition. I'll be flyiing it next week. First week of Jan 24. I'm 68 years old and haven't flown in 15 years or so, so want to get current again and back into regular flying. Give me some tips on this plane if you can.... Thanks.

[@j.muckafignotti4226]

Ahhhhh, the smell of resorcinol glue and fresh cut spruce. Bellanca, the best hidden speed secret in aviation.

[@erlanromero5516]

I am thinking about becoming a pilot and getting and airplane, Will the bellanca super viking be to complex for a new pilot to own? Compared to a Cherokee 234, wish plane would you pick? Thanks you

[@rclark0884]

Thank you for pointing out this incredible aircraft. My 68’ Viking is a pure joy in the air at all speeds. Check out some of my vids I want to publish a more in depth review of what a Viking can do “ coming soon”

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Ditto- that’s my plan! I’ll be happy to check out your videos too! Thanks for watching!

[@pilotreefer2930]

Thank you for the history. Great looking plane. What’s the the endurance and fuel burn if you know?

[@micclay]

Any cost of operation and ownership videos?

[@rogerreimer6787]

The Bellanca Viking as some may know has a wood wing thus it has a very strong wing that has never had a structural failure I believe it 9 G positive and 9 G Negative (not sure some one my have the facts). A Cessna 172 is 3 positive ans 2 negative will do more than that . At one time Bellance used to have 30 people sit on the wing in their adds to show how strong the plane was.

[@sparkeyjones6261]

There's one of these on Craigslist right now. I could actually afford it..... problem is, I don't have any flight training yet. lol I wonder if this would be a plane suitable for training?

[@Meowface.]

What makes it a “super” Viking ?

[@gtr1952]

Hey Matt, haven't seen you since the 'ladder v noggin' incident!?? Or not getting notified? (bell is on?) Notice "Shell" on the door of that early one? Didn't know they have been around avgas ect so long?!? Hope all is well with you and yours!! --gary

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Yeah, Shell has been in the game a long time! Everything is working normally for you; the Bellanca video was my latest. I’ve been out doing some things, but not really any full ‘missions’ that makes a story. I’ll be putting a new one up next week that has all the bits n’ pieces in it. Now that things are starting to get back to normal, it’s gonna be a good year! Thanks for sticking with me- more great stuff is turning inbound!

[@texastyrannyresponseteam794]

I had a chance to take a x-country in a Super Viking way back in the day.. impressive airplane.. no mention of the steel frame and fabric covering? wood wing?

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Those details are coming up in a future video. Just wanted to do an introduction for this one. Thanks for watching & for the comment!

[@texastyrannyresponseteam794]

@@UnusualAttitudes Kool.. looking forward to it... love your videos.. thanks for putting the effort into them for us...

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Thank you sir- I appreciate it!

[@RusscanFLY]

Are there any issues with parts availability? I dig the bird!

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Absolutely! Very few parts are Bellanca specific. Nearly every part on the aircraft can be reproduced, and if there’s one you need that can’t, sadly, there’s been quite a few BSVs that have been crashed, and Victor’s got the part!

[@GoatMan-dl5ds]

I really want one but I can barely afford to save for lessons and a small plane there's no way I'd be able to get this.... yet

[@mikemulder9393]

I was wondering what happened to that one built in 2005. If it is just going to sit in the hanger he should sell it... to me lol

[@jimkacz1106]

2005 or 1972? Title said 1972 but you mentioned last 2005... Looking forward to seeing more :)

[@cameronwebster6866]

I think that 2005 is the last year the super viking was made, where as the one he flew in the video was made in 1972.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Correct, Cameron. The 2005 was literally the LAST serial number Super Viking built. Super nice airplane, but is a hangar queen. Thanks to you both for watching!

[@Fi77on]

Its been just about a year since your last video, what happened?

[@thompsonjerry3412]

No rivets in the wing, made of wood, twin spars and plywood cover.

[@louly3212]

11:09 lol

[@sammalone7352]

So I have been thinking of one of these fir my first plane. There are some good prices that I have seen. However I am concerned about parts and that the company does not exist (?). Also it seems very small inside. So not sure I could sit two across the front.

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Shoot me an email at [e-mail]. Let’s discuss. Thanks for watching!

[@sammalone7352]

Unusual Attitudes thanks. Look for an email in the next few hours.

[@amgguy4319]

More than cool . . . So shhhhhhhh...

[@a-hvlogs2046]

wood wing?

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Heck yes, it is!

[@joejody7814]

Everybody loves them, novices included ... Untill they are told it has a wood wing .. Then the nashing. Of teeth and the wringing of hands begins. That's when the clueless all head for the nearest exit and the enlightened become the new owners. Fantastic airplanes due to engineering and construction means and methods that will outlive all the rest. Wood is nature's natural reinforced composite. Work both and you will become a believer, lighter, sticker, repairable, forgiving, never work hardened fatigued cracked and failed ..and it actually loves paint. Wood, milspec. Sitka spruce, mahogany plywood with poplarcores, basswood, God given materials blessed and bestowed to 🇺🇸.

[@mswhitherspoon121]

Good video! N7373V

[@UnusualAttitudes]

Thank you, & thanks for watching!! Is 7373V your plane? Regardless, kind of funny that it’s assigned to a ‘79 and not a ‘73 model!

[@heydonray]

I made my living in them for a while. If you want a fun to fly but otherwise high maintenance cost, very heavy, low useful load, and internally very loud airplane with absurd fuel distribution, get a Viking.

[@lmcc8798]

it's oct 2021 and the joke continues.