The 14-13 retained the Bellanca 14-7's basic design, but had a redesigned fuselage structure which included an enlarged cabin, a horizontally opposed Franklin 6A4-335-B3 1500NaN0 engine in place of the earlier models' various 70to engines, and an oval vertical endplate on each horizontal stabiliser. This latter feature gained the type the affectionate nickname "cardboard Constellation", because the arrangement was similar to the contemporary Lockheed Constellation airliner.[1]
Taking its numbering convention from the Bellanca tradition of identifying the series from the wing area in square feet, dropping the final digit, while the second number was the aircraft's horsepower, again dropping the final digit, the 14-13 had been planned to be powered by the 1300NaN0 Franklin 6AC-298-F3 horizontal piston engine; the designation was not updated to 14-15 when a 1500NaN0 engine was actually used. The Bellanca 14-13 wing was constructed of wood, while the fuselage and tail were welded steel-tube framework with a fabric covering.
Eventually the 1500NaN0 Franklin could be upgraded to 1650NaN0 with the FAA Type Certificate stating “Installation eligible only when original basic Franklin 6A4-150-B3 engine installation components utilized ..”. The 1650NaN0 required the use of either a Koppers Aeromatic or Sensenich Skyblade propeller.
The 14-13 was introduced in 1946; in its improved 14-13-3 version the aircraft remained in production until 1949.
A higher-performance design revision was granted FAA approval as the 14-19 Cruisemaster on September 26, 1949.[2] The new model had structural upgrades, a 1900NaN0 Lycoming O435-A engine, an increased gross weight of 26000NaN0, hydraulically operated landing gear and flaps, and an improved interior. 99 of these airplanes were produced between 1949 and 1951. Externally very similar to the earlier models, this version was distinguished by its larger, oval-shaped endplates.[3] All production ceased in 1956 as Bellanca wound up its operations.
The 14-19 design was revived by Northern Aircraft and granted FAA approval on January 7, 1957, as the 14-19-2 Cruisemaster. The new model had a 2300NaN0 Continental O-470K engine, an increased gross weight of 2,700 pounds,[2] an updated instrument panel, and new paint and upholstery schemes.[4] 104 of these aircraft were produced between 1957 and 1958.[3]
The company was renamed Downer Aircraft in 1959. Inter-Air acquired the production rights in 1962 and was renamed as the Bellanca Sales Company, a subsidiary of Miller Flying Service.[1] Further development of the design by Inter-Air resulted in the modernized Viking series introduced in 1962.[5]
The Bellanca 14-13 Cruisair Senior was aimed at the general aviation market, offering a combination of performance, low engine power and a modest price. Its performance and structural strength also made it attractive for utility work, but in many ways the Bellanca design was an anachronism, relying on a conventional landing gear configuration and wood-and-fabric construction that harkened back to an earlier age. Only about 600 were produced, due to the postwar economy and a glut of surplus military aircraft.[5]
The 14-13-2 was one of the aircraft tested by August Raspet and George Lambros of the Aerospace Department of Mississippi State College. With its propeller removed and towed behind a 4500NaN0 Stearman, the performance of the 14-13-2 was carefully studied and reported in technical publication Research Reviews, April 1954 as "Flight Research on a Personal Type Airplane". Raspet and Lambros found the 14-13-2's maximum speed to be 1490NaN0 and its cruise speed at 75% power to be 1310NaN0.[6]
In 1952, Canadian Joshua Haldeman and his wife Winifred flew their 14-13-2 from Pretoria, South Africa to Oslo, Norway and back. In 1954, the Haldemans flew their 14-13-2 from South Africa to Australia and back. Over many years, the Haldemans also explored the Kalahari Desert with the 14-13-2.[7]
Despite its introduction in a period when private aircraft sales were stagnant, the aircraft remained popular through all of its incarnations, becoming considered a classic cabin monoplane and much in demand.[8]
The last 14-13-3 recorded in the Smithsonian archives is serial number 1648.