BELLANCA “JUNIOR”/”CRUISAIR”/”CRUISEMASTER”
1937’59
 Junior Cruisair |  Bellanca 14-23 Cruisair |  Bellanca 14-19 Cruisemaster |
| STANDARD DATA: (1413) Seats 4. Gross wt. 3,000. Empty wt. 1,850. Fuel capacity 60. Engine 260-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 208. Cruise mph 203. Stall mph 62. Initial climb rate 1,500. Ceiling 22,500. Range 1,000. Takeoff distance (50') 1,000. Landing distance (50) 800. | STANDARD DATA: (Cruisair 149) Seats 3. Gross wt. 1,750. Empty wt. 1,050. Fuel capacity 20. Engine 90-hp Ken Royce radial. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 133. Cruise mph 120. Stall mph 43. Initial climb rate 750. Ceiling 12,500. Range 410. | STANDARD DATA: (Cruisemaster 1419) Seats 4. Gross wt. 2,600. Empty wt. 1,525. Fuel capacity 20. Engine 190-hp Lycoming. PERFORMANCE: Cruise mph 180. Stall mph 43. Initial climb rate 1,400. Ceiling 22,500. Range 680. |
| STANDARD DATA: (1419-2) Seats 4. Gross wt. 2,700. Empty wt. 1,640. Fuel capacity 40. Engine 230-hp Continental. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 206. Cruise mph 196. Stall mph 48. Initial climb rate 1,500. Range 624. Ceiling 20,000. Takeoff distance (50) 1,060. Landing distance (50) 935. | STANDARD DATA: (Junior 149) Seats 3. Gross wt. 1,650. Empty wt. 943. Fuel capacity 22. Engine 90-hp LeBlond radial. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 137. Cruise mph 120. Stall mph 45. Initial climb rate 800. Ceiling 14,760. Range 500. | STANDARD DATA: (Junior 147) Seats 3. Gross wt. 1,650. Empty wt. 912. Fuel capacity 22. Engine 75-hp LeBlond radial. PERFORMANCE: Top mph 115. Cruise mph 105. Stall mph 45. Initial climb rate 600. Ceiling 12,000. Range 500. |
The earlier versions of the Bellanca, produced from shortly after the end of World War II until 1962, are sometimes humorously referred to as the "Cardboard Constellations." This friendly remark refers to the tail surfaces that in earlier versions featured twin vertical fins outboard from the central vertical stabilizer and rudder. The first Bellancas of this series were produced between 1937 and 1940 and were known as the Junior. The 147 had a 75-hp LeBlond engine and fixed landing gear; the 149 was fitted with a 90-hp of the same make and retractable gear. Cruisair became the name applied to the 147 and 149 when they received 75-hp and 90-hp Ken Royce engines, respectively.
In 1946, the first 1413 Cruisairs were introduced with 150-hp Franklin engines, and in the following years updated versions, the 1413-2 and 1413-3, were built. This latter plane stayed in production, along with the first 190-hp Cruisemaster 1419 introduced in 1948 until 1956. In 1958, Northern Aircraft Inc. took over production and built the Cruisemaster 1419-2 with its 230-hp Continental engine. Northern Aircraft became the Downer Aircraft Company in 1959, and introduced the 1419-3 "260," a considerably more powerful Cruisemaster with a 260-hp Continental, tricycle landing gear, and other refinements. Inter-Air acquired production rights in 1962, and the 260A received its first conventional tail section. Shortly afterwards, Inter-Air became known as the Bellanca Sales Company, a subsidiary of Miller Flying Service.
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