Engines – Power

Nationale Vliegtuigindustrie Industrie FK.31

TerryLeave a comment
N.V.I. F.K.31

A fighter/reconnaissance aircraft, this biplane was designed by Fre¬derik Koothoven in the early 1920s for the NV (Nationale Vliegtuigindustrie, national aircraft industry), a small number being pro¬duced in 1924 25. Powered by a 400 hp Bris¬tol Jupiter radial engine, it seated a pilot and observer/gunner in tandem open cockpits, operating respectively two fixed, forward ¬firing machine guns and two ring mounted.

Reconnaissance versions sometimes carried a fifth gun, firing downward through the floor of the rear cockpit. Performance was not up to LVA (Luchtvaartafdeling, army air service) requirements, but the F.K.31 was used until about 1930 by the Netherlands East Indies army air service as a fighter trainer.

The Finnish air force operated 12 over a similar period, four of them built in Finland under licence. Louis de Monge in France also built a few, with Gnome Rhone (Bristol) Jupiter engines.

Gross weight: 1760 kg (3880 lb)
Maximum speed: 235 km/h (146 mph)

National Airways System Air King

TerryLeave a comment
NAS Air King Dole racer City of Peoria NX3070

In 1926 National Airways System designed and produced the three/four-seat open-cockpit Air King commercial/touring biplane. Alternative engines offered included the Curtiss OX-5, Hispano-Suiza and Wright Whirlwind.

A 1926 two place Air King was entered in the 1927 New York-Spokane Race. It was disabled when the tailskid broke on take-off and was dismantled, with its motor going to the Air King Mono-4.

A three-four place Air King was offered in 1926 (ATC 29). Designed by Orville Hickman, the price was $2,385.

The 1927 two place Air King was a larger, boxy “big brother”. About four were built, the first of which was Dole Race entry City of Peoria (NX3070, piloted by Charles Parkhurst). It was disqualified because of insufficient fuel tanks.

The 1928 three place Air King (ATC 29) was priced at $2,095-2,295 and 23 were built.

Air King
1926
Engine: Curtiss OX-5, 90hp
Wingspan: (upper) 33’0″ (lower) 34’1″
Length: 26’0″
Useful load: 850 lb
Max speed: 98 mph
Cruise speed: 84 mph
Stall: 35 mph
Range: 380 mi
Seats: 3-4

Air King
1927
Engine: Wright J-5, 220hp
Wingspan: 38’0
Seats: 2
about 4built

Air King
1928
ATC 29
Engine: Curtiss OX-5, 90hp
Wingspan: 34’1″
Length: 25’5″
Useful load: 775 lb
Max speed: 99 mph
Cruise speed: 85 mph
Stall: 35 mph
Range: 395 mi
Price: $2,095-2,295
Seats: 3
No built: 23

National Aircraft Division of American Airmotive Corp NA-75

TerryLeave a comment

National Aircraft Division Of American Airmotive Corp was established in 1956 to remanufacture Boeing-Stearman PT-13/17 Kaydet trainers as the NA-75 agricultural aircraft. Modifications included new high-lift wings of all metal construction and metal-panelled fuselage sides. The NA-75 was offered either in completed form or as a conversion.

Various engine options from 220hp Continental to 450hp P&W were offered.

Wingspan (upper): 33’0″
Wingspan (lower): 29’6″
Hopper loads: 500-2000 lb
Stall speed 500 lb load: 35 mph

Engine: 220hp Continental R-670 or 225hp Lycoming R-680-B4 (also others as available)
Wingspan: (upper) 33’1″ (lower) 29’5″
Length: 24’9″
Payloads: up to 2000 lb
Seats: 1