Brunner Winkle Bird Collection
Brunner Winkle Bird Airplanes List
1929 Brunner Winkle Bird A (OX-5)
Acquired with funds from Don Mayo.
Engine: Curtiss OX-5, 90 HP
The Bird As were originally built with a Curtiss OX-5 engine but over the years many Bird As were later fitted with other engines for better performance and reliability. (WAAAM has two such Birds with swapped engines.) WAAAM got this Bird A back in 2016 bringing the collection of still flying OX-5 powered airplanes up to 10.
Additional Specifications:
Cruise: 88 MPH
Top Speed: 105 MPH
Empty Weight: 1315 lbs
Gross Weight: 2150 lbs
Wing Span: 34' / 25'
Length: 22'3"
Height: 8'8"
Service Ceiling: 12,500'
Climb in 1 Minute: 520' at sea level
Approximate Number Built: 85
(Data pulled from Joseph Juptner's U.S. Civil Aircraft series.)
1929 Brunner Winkle Bird A
Acquired with funds from Founding Memberships.
Engine: Continental W-670, 220 HP
The Bird A is a 3-seat airplane with two seats in the front cockpit. It is nearly a sesquiplane (literally a wing-and-a-half) with the upper being much larger than the lower. Endurance records were set in Bird A’s flown by women, Elinor Smith and “Bobbie” Trout. Charles Lindbergh liked the flight qualities of the Bird well enough to buy one for his wife Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Originally built with a Curtiss OX-5 engine, our Bird A was later fitted with a Continental radial engine for better performance and reliability.
Additional Specifications:
Cruise: 100 MPH
Top Speed: 120 MPH
Wing Span: 34' / 25"
Length: 22'3"
Height: 8'8"
Service Ceiling: 14,000'
1929 Brunner Winkle Bird CK
Acquired by funds from Ty Ross and Don Mayo.
Engine: Kinner B-5, 125 HP
WAAAM purchased the Bird CK from Arlene Beard, daughter of Melba Beard, a renowned aviatrix. Melba learned to fly in 1929 and her wedding gift from her husband, Dr. William Beard, was a Bird. This airplane is the last of a series of birds she had owned over the years.
Additional Specifications:
Cruise: 100 MPH
Top Speed: 118 MPH
Empty Weight: 1350 lbs
Gross Weight: 2335 lbs
Wing Span: 34' / 25'
Length: 23'
Height: 8'6"
Service Ceiling: 16,000'
Climb in 1 Minute: 700' at sea level
Approximate Number Built: 42
(Data pulled from Joseph Juptner's U.S. Civil Aircraft series.)