The Bellanca 28-92 Trimotor, a racing aircraft designed for the 1937 Istres-Damascus-Paris Air Race, was funded through public donations in Romania.
Named Alba Julia (“White Julia” with the registration YR-AHA), this aircraft was flown by Captain Alexander Papana, a pilot in the Romanian Air Force.
Race
In 1937, to mark the tenth anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo flight from New York to Paris, a proposal was made for a transatlantic race involving twenty-two participants. However, the United States expressed concerns about the race, fearing that any mishaps could tarnish the emerging image of transatlantic passenger flights.
By June 1937, the Aero-Club de France decided to alter the event to an Istres-Damascus-Paris route, maintaining a distance comparable to Lindbergh’s original flight. Competitors were to fly non-stop from Istres to Damascus, covering 2,971 km.
For the return journey to Paris, they were allowed to stop en route if necessary. The winner of the 6,190 km race, determined by the shortest completion time, would receive a prize of 1.5 million French Francs from the French Air Ministry.
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The race commenced on 20 August 1937 with thirteen out of the seventeen registered teams participating. Among the racers was Bruno Mussolini, son of the Italian dictator.
The departure times were organized by nationality; the French teams set off first between 18:00 and 18:30, followed by the British team (the sole entry from Britain) at 21:00, and lastly, the Italian teams between 22:00 and 22:30. Out of the starters, only nine teams managed to complete the race.
The winners were Lieutenant-Colonel Ranieri Cupini and Lieutenant-Colonel Amadeo Paradisi, who flew a Savoia-Marchetti S-79 and landed at Le Bourget airport after 17 hours, 32 minutes, and 43.2 seconds. The Italian teams also secured the second and third positions.
Design of the Bellanca 28-92
The Bellanca 28-92 Trimotor was conceived in the mid-1930s, during a period of rapid advancement in aviation technology and aircraft design.
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Giuseppe Mario Bellanca, the visionary aircraft designer and founder of Bellanca Aircraft Corporation, was driven by the ambition to create an aircraft that could achieve long-distance flight records. Bellanca’s designs were known for their efficiency, robustness, and outstanding performance, and the 28-92 was no exception.
This aircraft was designed with a specific goal in mind: to challenge and surpass existing flight endurance records. It was built around the innovative use of three Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engines, which provided the power and reliability needed for long-distance flights.
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The choice of a trimotor configuration was strategic, offering redundancy and increased safety for over-water and extended flights, where engine reliability was paramount.
Technical Specifications
The Bellanca 28-92 featured a high-wing monoplane design, which was somewhat unconventional at the time. Its fuselage was constructed primarily from welded steel tubing, with fabric covering, which combined strength with lightness. The wings were made of wood and also covered in fabric, a design choice that contributed to the aircraft’s overall weight efficiency.
The trimotor configuration was not just a safety feature but also a performance enhancer. The Pratt & Whitney engines, each producing around 450 horsepower, enabled the 28-92 to achieve impressive speed and range capabilities.
The aircraft had a cruising speed of approximately 200 miles per hour and a maximum range that could exceed 5,000 miles under optimal conditions, making it one of the most capable aircraft of its time for long-distance flights.
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The cockpit of the Bellanca 28-92 was designed for functionality and efficiency, with instrumentation and controls laid out in a manner that was advanced for its time. This focus on pilot usability and navigation efficiency was crucial for the long, often solo, flights that the aircraft was designed to undertake.
Bellanca 28-92 Significance
The Bellanca 28-92 Trimotor is perhaps best known for its attempt to break the world flight endurance record. While it may not have achieved this goal, the aircraft demonstrated remarkable capabilities and resilience, setting the stage for future aviation milestones. Its design and performance characteristics influenced the development of later aircraft, contributing to advancements in long-distance flight technology.
Beyond its technical achievements, the Bellanca 28-92 represents an era of bold experimentation and innovation in aviation. It reflects the spirit of adventure and the pursuit of excellence that drove aviators and designers to push the boundaries of what was possible.
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The aircraft’s development underscores the importance of vision, engineering skill, and determination in overcoming challenges and advancing technology.
Bellanca 28-92 Legacy
Today, the Bellanca 28-92 Trimotor holds a special place in the annals of aviation history. While only a limited number of these aircraft were built, its story continues to inspire aviation enthusiasts and professionals alike. The 28-92’s contributions to the field of aviation are recognized in museums and through historical retrospectives that celebrate the pioneering efforts of Giuseppe Bellanca and his team.
The legacy of the Bellanca 28-92 extends beyond its technical specifications or the records it sought to break. It embodies the passion for exploration and innovation that defines the aviation industry. This aircraft serves as a reminder of the ingenuity and perseverance that have driven human flight from its earliest days to the present.
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In conclusion, the Bellanca 28-92 Trimotor is more than just an aircraft; it is a symbol of the relentless pursuit of progress and excellence in aviation. Its development, performance, and the ambitions it represented mark a significant chapter in the history of flight, showcasing the remarkable achievements of its time and the enduring spirit of innovation that continues to propel aviation forward.
