GeeBee C-8 Eightster
| GeeBee C-8 "Eightster" | |
|---|---|
| Role | |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Granville Brothers Aircraft |
| Status | Prototype only |
| Number built | 1 (not completed) |
| Developed from | Gee Bee C Sportster |
The C-8 Eightster was a single-engine airliner developed by Granville Brothers Aircraft, which did not go into production.[1]
Design and Development
The C-8 was an uncompleted design for a single-engine airliner; a wire braced low-wing monoplane with conventional landing gear aircraft and a radial engine. Entry was from a small left rear door in the fuselage. Passenger visibility came from three semi-circular windows along each side. The main landing gear was faired similar to the gee-bee racers.
The Granville brothers also designed a series of sportster derivatives, including the C-4 Fourster and C-6 Sixster. The C-8 was the only one to be constructed, being partially completed by the time the company went into liquidation.
Variants
- Gee Bee C Sportster
- Single-seat sport / racing aircraft; basis for the C family.[2]
- C-4 Fourster
- Four-seater powered by a 400 hp (300 kW) Pratt & Whitney Wasp Jr, not built.[2]
- C-6 Sixster
- Six-seater, not built.[2]
- C-8 Eightster
- Eight-seater, to have been powered by either a Pratt & Whitney Hornet or a 700 hp (520 kW) Wright R-1820. The prototype was partially complete at the time of Granville Brothers bankruptcy.[2]
Specifications (C-8)
Data from [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: eight
- Length: 32 ft 11 in (10.03 m)
- Wingspan: 47 ft 9 in (14.55 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Hornet 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine, 700 hp (520 kW)
- Propellers: 2-bladed variable pitch metal propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 255 mph (410 km/h; 222 kn)
- Cruise speed: 190 mph (165 kn; 306 km/h)
- Range: 870 mi (756 nmi; 1,400 km)
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era