The C-8 Eightster was a single-engine airliner developed by Granville Brothers Aircraft which did not go into production.[1]
| GeeBee C-8 "Eightster" | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Granville Brothers Aircraft |
| Status | Prototype only |
| Number built | 1 (not completed) |
| History | |
| Developed from | Gee Bee C Sportster |
Design and development
editThe C-8 was an uncompleted design for a single-engine airliner. It was a wire-braced low-wing monoplane with fixed landing gear and a radial engine. Passenger entry was via a small door on the left hand side of 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
edit- 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 R-985 Wasp Junior, 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 R-1690 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)
editData 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 R-1690 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 (310 km/h, 170 kn)
- Range: 870 mi (1,400 km, 760 nmi)