This Susqui-Plane (ATC#388) was once owned by the famous aviator Wiley Post. The Bird was one of the “Jenny” replacement airplanes used for Barnstorming in the 30’s and 40s.  The CK is of similar design to the BK except for the larger passenger compartment. The 125 hp Kinner engine in the BK and the CK replaced the Curtiss OX5 (model A) for more horsepower and better reliability (the K denotes Kinner engine). A Susqui-Plane is a Biplane in which the area of one wing is less than one-half of the area of the other wings. The lower wing area of the Bird is less than half the area of the upper wing.

From the sales brochures of the Brunner-Winkle Aircraft Corp.

“Safety and Performance”

“Greater performance per horsepower has established the Bird as particularly suitable for commuting  and  cross country trips of the owner-pilot…for the passenger hopping and taxi service of the commercial pilot….for the aviation school…and for the newly licensed flyer. “hand-off” stability, 10 to 1 gliding ration, low landing speed, contribute to dependable, safe performance and marked operating economy. All these refinements of design, combined with the low cost resulting from advanced plane-a-day production methods, have established Bird leadership in the popular price class. “

People who made the Bird famous:

William Edward Winkle o 20 mile air race held over Fitzmaurice Field in Massapequa, Long Island. Although Bill was the last to take off, he passed every plane and won the race. He flew an OX5 powered prototype. Also in February of 1929, Bill earned second place at the National Air Races in the same prototype aircraft.

Elinor Smith Sullivan set an endurance record of 13 hours, 16 minutes and 45 seconds in the same prototype Bird flown in the Fitzmaurice race. Sponsored by the Brunner & Winkle Corporation, the flight was flown on January 30-31, 1929.

Joseph Sheehan soloed an OX-5 powered Bird in the summer of 1930. Joseph was 12 years old and became the youngest pilot in the world to solo.

Milo Burcham established an inverted flight record over Long Beach California in the spring of 1934. He flew a specially modified Bird inverted for 4 hours and 40 minutes.

Melba Beard won the 1935 Amelia Earhart Trophy in a bird.

Al K. Hall flew his bird to an altitude of 16,800 feet on July 2, 1933. This 3 hour and 15 minute flight broke the previously established junior altitude record.

Ann Morrow Lindbergh was taught to fly by her husband Charles Lindbergh in a Bird BK (NC727Y).

 

 

 

Name	Brunner-Winkle Bird CK
Type of Plane	Sesqui-Plane (Bi-Plane)
Height	8 feet 6 inches
Length	23 feet
Wing Span (upper)	34 feet
Wing Span (lowerr)	25 feet
Seats	4 place (3 passenger)
Empty Weight	1350 lbs
Useful Load	985 lbs
Max Gross Weight	2335 lbs
Maximum Speed	118 pmh
Crusing Speed	100 mph
Landing Speed	38 mph
Crusing Range	530 miles
Cruise Endurance	6.2 hours
Service Ceilng	16,000 feet
Engine	Kinner R5 Radial (5 Cylinders)
Fuel Capacity	43 Gallons
Fuel Burn	7 gallons per hour
Initial Price	$4,395 USD

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