From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Funk Model B | |
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| 1948-built Funk B85C at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 2010 | |
| Role | Two-seat cabin monoplane |
| Manufacturer | Akron Aircraft Company Funk Aircraft Company |
| Designed by | Howard and Joe Funk |
| First flight | 1933 |
| Number built | 380 |
The Funk Model B was a 1930s American two-seat cabin monoplane designed by Howard and Joe Funk. Originally built by the Akron Aircraft Company later renamed Funk Aircraft Company.
Development
The Model B was the first powered aircraft designed by brothers Howard and Joe Funk, whose previous experience was in homebuilt gliders and sailplanes. Similar in appearance to a Piper Cub, their Model B was a strut-braced high-wing monoplane with a conventional tail unit and fixed tailwheel landing gear. The design uses mixed construction with fabric covered wooden wings and a welded steel-tube fuselage. The aircraft was powered by the brothers’ own Model E engine developed from a Ford "B" motor-car engine. When the test flights were successful the brothers formed the Akron Aircraft Company in 1939 to build the Funk B. After production began, the engine was changed to a 75hp (56 kW) Lycoming GO-145-C2 horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine and was re-designated the Model B-75-L.
In 1941 the company moved from Akron to Kansas and the company was renamed the Funk Aircraft Company. Production was stopped during the Second World War and one aircraft was impressed into service in 1942 with the United States Army Air Corps as the UC-92.
After the war in 1946 production was resumed using a Continental C-85-12 engine and the aircraft was redesignated the Model B-85-C and named the Bee. It did not sell well and production was halted in 1948. 380 aircraft of all variants had been built.
Variants
- Model B
- Prototype and initial production aircraft with Funk E engine.
- Model B-75-L
- Pre-war production aircraft with a 75hp (56 kW) Avco Lycoming GO-145-C2 piston engine.
- Model B-85-C Bee
- Post-war production aircraft with a Continental C-85-12 engine.
- UC-92
- Army designation for one impressed Model B-75-L.
Specifications (B-85-C)
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General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 20 ft 5 in (6.22 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
- Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
- Wing area: 169 ft² (15.70 m²)
- Empty weight: 890 lb (404 kg)
- Gross weight: 1350 lb (612 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Continental C-85-12F flat-four piston engine, 85 hp (63 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 117 mph (188 km/h)
- Range: 365 miles (587 km)
- Service ceiling: 15,500 ft (4725 m)
References
- John Andrade, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0 904597 22 9 (Page 171)
- Simpson, Rod, Airlife’s World Aircraft, 2001, Airlife Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1-84037-115-3 (Page 248)
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing