VIKING of the MONTH
August 2002
"Miss August"
N8813V is a 1971 17-30A owned by Bob & Bette Nixon
This Viking is based at Willits (O28) & Napa, CA (APC)
13V photographed by 7379V!
Bob & Bette write: "What an exciting moment it was in August of 1971 to stand under the blue Texas sky at Miller's Flying Service and watch our new Bellanca Super Viking pattern in for landing, arriving from the factory in Alexandria, Minnesota. She had been ordered in the spring of that year and her completion was anxiously awaited. Bob fulfilled his dual instruction at Miller's and we departed for home in California."
"Many happy hours were spent flying her cross country prior to the days of GPS, headsets with ANR, stereo sound and current conveniences. We navigated with VOR, compass and maps. 8813V saw much of the US, even surviving well, the onslaught of Hurrican Agnes in Williamsburg, VA."
"We had flown 8813V for eight years, eight hundred hours when we sold her. We retired from flying until the last daughter graduated from University in April 1998. May 18, 1998 we purchased another Bellanca Super Viking, 7379V, a 69, SN 30205. During the restoration process a remanufactured Continental IO 520-D was installed. During the "break in" flying Bob heard 8813V call into Ukiah (UKI) airport. He immediately called and requested the pilot to stay on the field, did a 180, landed and met the current owners. We remained in contact with them and on March 11, 2000 we bought 1/2 interest in the plane, being partners with Bill Bailey of Napa, CA. The plane is hangared in Napa (APC) with occassional trips to Willits (O28) where it is also hangared in our second hangar."
"Subsequent owners, following our ownership, were respectful and hangared her along with apparent loving care. Wings are beautiful with original paint, cowling has been repainted, seat faces reupholstered (don't miss the 70's Herculon Plaid) and it even has the original pillows in the back seat. Bob and I have taken several cross country trips in her with enjoyment including Leadville, CO. Her performance is impressive, very good climb and approximately 7 knots per hour faster than 7379V. Total time at this years annual in May was 1473.5. One cylinder is low, but hoping Marvelous Mystery Oil will reclaim compression."
"She remains one of the Impressive Planes of Bellanca Super Viking Manufacture. SN 30378."
Bob & Bette can be reached at:
bobette@pacific.net
Picture YOUR Airplane Here!
Send me photos and some history about your Viking, and I'll place it on this page for all Bellanca Fans to see! Snail mail photos to: 3741 N. Forgeus Ave, Tucson, AZ 85716 (all photos will be returned promptly)...or e-mail .jpg files to:
Vikingdrvr@att.net
Previous "Vikings of the Month"
N 1285R...Don Ames' 1972 Turbo Viking
N 93570...Larry Smalley's 1973 17-31A
N 39819...Jim Howell's 1973 17-30A
N 4081B...Tom Binder's 1975 17-31ATC
N 4052B...The DeFoe's 1976 17-30A
N 28067...Craig Gifford's 1979 17-30A
N 6578V...James Gryder's 1970 17-31ATC
N 93554...Troy Foster's 1974 17-31ATC
N 110CB...RJ Lint's 1974 17-30A
N 6639V...Michael Waiwood's 1970 17-30A
N 147PH...Ron Bianchi's 1974 17-30A
N 7379V...Bob & Bette Nixon's 1969 17-30
N 7358V...Troy Foster's 1969 17-31TC
N 8811V...Jeremy Reiley's 1971 17-30A
N 9996V...Lee Moore's 1971 17-30A
N 14732...Lynn Walker's 1975 17-30A
CFMJT...Eric Hansen's 1974 17-31ATC
N 4101B...Peter Knize & John Sullivan's 1974 17-31ATC
N 8229R...Bill Dudley's 1972 17-30A
N 4851V...Carl Fleece's 1968 17-30
N 7300V...Lee McGee's 1969 17-30
N 8281R...Victor Catalanotto's 1972 17-30A
N 228CM...Curtis Hannay's 1973 17-31ATC
N 8842V...Richard Dews' 1971 17-30A
N 28058...Rex Warren's 1978 17-30A
N 77TV...Tim Averett's 1977 17-31ATC
N 9782E...Walt Peasley & Greg Treager's 1977 17-30A
N 4062B...Russell and Rusty Viers' 1975 17-31ATC
N 4935V...Hal Schroeder's 1969 17-30
N 8229R...Bill Dudley's 1972 17-30A
N 14798...Earl Gault's 1974 17-30A
N 39862...Craig Schwab's 1973 17-30A
N 8231R...Mike Carr's 1972 17-30A
N 281SV...Fred Olson's 2000 17-30A
N 28055...John Hartnell's 1979 17-30A
N 327CP...Jeff Baker's 1973 17-30A
N 6712V...Tom & Laurie Cox's 1970 17-30A
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