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The Bellanca 28-70 was a long-range
air racer designed for James Fitzmaurice Irish, pioneer aviator,
who christened it Irish Swoop. Although it was built in time
for the 1934 MacRobertson Race from England to Australia, it
was never destined to be a competitive long-distance racer but
it was ultimately reborn as a high-speed bomber. Purchased by
British long-distance air racer Jim Mollison for $28,000, he
renamed the aircraft Dorothy and used the Bellanca for a new
transatlantic speed record, but in 1937 sold the aircraft to
the Republican government in Spain.The Bellanca 28-90 Flash was
developed into a bomber in the 1930s for export to Spain to take
part in the Spanish Civil War. Although none reached Spain, the
order was diverted to China where the aircraft briefly saw service.
Later, an additional batch destined for Spain ended up in Mexico.
A total of 43 aircraft were produced. |
