Bellanca Super Viking?

bflynn

bflynn

Final Approach
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Brian Flynn
Lately I've seen several Bellanca Super Vikings for sale at what seems to me to be unusually low prices, all less and some way less than 40k. I'm not familiar with the type. Is there a significant negative to the super viking that I don't know about? Other than a typo, why would a 1969 17-30a with 0 SMOH engine, no damage history, and about 4000 hours on the airframe be posted at 15k? I know Tripacers that are posted at 15k and they struggle to reach half the Super Viking's speed.

http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1458731/1969-bellanca-17-30a
 
bflynn said:
Lately I've seen several Bellanca Super Vikings for sale at what seems to me to be unusually low prices, all less and some way less than 40k. I'm not familiar with the type. Is there a significant negative to the super viking that I don't know about? Other than a typo, why would a 1969 17-30a with 0 SMOH engine, no damage history, and about 4000 hours on the airframe be posted at 15k? I know Tripacers that are posted at 15k and they struggle to reach half the Super Viking's speed.

http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1458731/1969-bellanca-17-30a
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That one's already sold, a regular on the Viking forum bought it. It's $15k because it's not airworthy as it sits, it needs a fair amount of repair work from a gear up.

I have a Super Viking. Overall, it's a great airplane for the money. It's fabric covered with wood wings, which scares some people (unfounded fears, but when has that stopped people?). The earlier non-turbo versions are 155-160kt airplanes on 14-15gph. The cabin is a little cramped, baggage space isn't generous, but they've got good useful loads. Despite what some will say, it's rather easy to work on once you understand how a few of the quirkier systems work. But they can be had for very good prices, and you'll struggle to find something that matches the Viking's capability for the same money. There are bigger, faster, nicer airplanes out there, sure, but dollars to knots (and taking into account useful load), the Viking is pretty hard to beat.
 
Ditto what Bradg says; I have had one for 16 years and flown all over the continent with it, fix it myself, rare if ever do wood work but there is nothing scary about it to me. Continue to hear from uninformed Viking haters; whatever.
 
Proabably to do with it being wood and fabric. Some people wont fly them as they fear the wings might rip or break off or something. Honestly if max Immelmann could pull off some of the moves he did, I think it will be fine. Most people on here have tons more experience than I do, so I'm sure more valid input will be found in due time.
 
They weren't built by Beechcraft. They weren't built in Kerrville. And they don't have a red handle.
Three strikes, yer out. Apparently.

If you can get by that you'll find those that own them and fly them a lot have few bad things to say about them. And some of those that don't are the opposite.

Personally, I think some of the "unfashionable" and "unloved", overlooked airplanes out there are some of the best values & choices going in this market. What I own and fly fits in that category.

Have a look at this thread - especially Post #26 :)
https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/com...ca-super-vikings-for-sale.99518/#post-2178665
 
bradg33 said:
That one's already sold, a regular on the Viking forum bought it. It's $15k because it's not airworthy as it sits, it needs a fair amount of repair work from a gear up.
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I wondered if it had been geared up, with the way the ad appeared...

My observations with the Bellanca crowd is that the guys who like the Viking love them and those who don't like them really don't like them. I haven't really found anyone who is too neutral. I've worked on them, but never flown one. I'd like to get a couple hours of flight time to make up my mind what I think of them from a pilot's perspective. A friend of mine owned one that was mint and ended up selling it for $25k or so. I wish I would have bought it.
 
If I needed to haul more than two people the Viking would be at the top of my list for a go fast X/C machine.
 
My Viking is perfect for our little family of 3.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk
 
Yeah, Ive been looking at them too. I hafta find someone in DFW that has one so I can crawl around in one for a minute. But as others have said, for the money they look hard to beat and they have a cool look too!
 
Flew with 70+ year old Dr awhile back giving him some instrument training. Beautiful airplane, tight but comfy inside. This Dr is originally from Germany and flew the damn thing from Alabama to Germany! I was told to watch him as he's had 2 or 3 gear ups in it.
 
JCranford said:
Yeah, Ive been looking at them too. I hafta find someone in DFW that has one so I can crawl around in one for a minute. But as others have said, for the money they look hard to beat and they have a cool look too!
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Lots of Vikings in Texas. If you're serious about one, head over to the Viking Pilot's forums, you'll find someone happy to show you the ropes. I think there's a big contingent over at Grand Prairie.
 
I've always thought that the Viking would be the next plane I buy, or go further back and get a Cruisemaster if I could.
 
bflynn said:
Lately I've seen several Bellanca Super Vikings for sale at what seems to me to be unusually low prices, all less and some way less than 40k. I'm not familiar with the type. Is there a significant negative to the super viking that I don't know about? Other than a typo, why would a 1969 17-30a with 0 SMOH engine, no damage history, and about 4000 hours on the airframe be posted at 15k? I know Tripacers that are posted at 15k and they struggle to reach half the Super Viking's speed.

http://www.controller.com/listings/aircraft/for-sale/1458731/1969-bellanca-17-30a
Click to expand...


I owned a Viking. Nice plane. Couple of things though... If you don't have a hangar forget it. If you are not near one of the big three repair shops that know them, forget it. A 15K Viking could cost you 80K at annual. No joke. Go to Vikingpilots.com for lots of info and helpful folks. We had a local shop doing our annuals for a few years. Then we took the plane to a Viking specialist and found the wing was about to fall off from rot. Put new wings on and she was good as new, but it costs. They are really nice flying planes. The 79 and later models are the best as the cowl and landing gear doors were improved for more speed. They are fairly tight across the cabin but alternating the seat settings made it comfortable. I'm fairly broad shouldered. There are a lot of older guys that are not flying these planes the way they should. That could cause moisture issues as well as engine corrosion. Be aware many of the Continental IO-520's have cylinder AD's. Ask me how I know....
 
bradg33 said:
Lots of Vikings in Texas. If you're serious about one, head over to the Viking Pilot's forums, you'll find someone happy to show you the ropes. I think there's a big contingent over at Grand Prairie.
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I hear there's a pretty good contingent around Norway.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
pigpenracing said:
I am still shopping for the right Super Viking.
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What happened? I thought you bought the one you posted pics of in late Nov? Find a problem? Or trying for a his-n-hers matched pair as a Christmas present?
 
GRG55 said:
What happened? I thought you bought the one you posted pics of in late Nov? Find a problem? Or trying for a his-n-hers matched pair as a Christmas present?
Click to expand...

I had one bought but the owner misrepresented the plane so I got my money back and walked.
 
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