Those are just some of the things that go into making a fast plane, and not necessarily the most important. Cooling drag/cowling design, airfoil shape, fuselage shape (those sharp corners on the facets contribute a lot of drag). A lot was learned about aerodynamics in the 25-ish years between the design of the Viking and the Glasair. For its era, it's reasonably fast for the horsepower.

No it isn't. It's era includes the comanche, which goes the same speed on 50 less HP with a much bigger cabin. Yhe viking is beautifully built but at it's core it's simply a poor design.

No it isn't. It's era includes the comanche, which goes the same speed on 50 less HP with a much bigger cabin. Yhe viking is beautifully built but at it's core it's simply a poor design.

No it isn't. It's era includes the comanche, which goes the same speed on 50 less HP with a much bigger cabin. Yhe viking is beautifully built but at it's core it's simply a poor design.

pretty much. My point is that the viking is not a "value" because it is cheap to buy. It's priced cheap because it does not deliver the same trade-off as a comanche or bonanza or 182RG, which are faster on less fuel with a bigger cabin. There are no "deals" in used airplanes, the market assigns value very well.

Those are just some of the things that go into making a fast plane, and not necessarily the most important. Cooling drag/cowling design, airfoil shape, fuselage shape (those sharp corners on the facets contribute a lot of drag). A lot was learned about aerodynamics in the 25-ish years between the design of the Viking and the Glasair. For its era, it's reasonably fast for the horsepower.

No it isn't. It's era includes the comanche, which goes the same speed on 50 less HP with a much bigger cabin. Yhe viking is beautifully built but at it's core it's simply a poor design.

The Viking loses on cabin space but no Comanche 250 is a threat to a super Viking. The bellanca is a violin, the Piper is a bashed together Russian looking sheet metal boiler plate dome rivet tractor. I've flown both. I like them for different reasons too. One is 155 knots on a good day, one is 175 on the same good day. And one is fully aerobatic while the other enjoys a horrible inflight breakup rate and has several ADs to address this.[/quote]

So which one goes 175 knots?

So which one goes 175 knots?[/quote]

Whichever one is going downhill...

BSV was my first plane '79 all original. Was a great plane, took my instrument in it and put 400hrs Xcountry pretty much all over US. Definitely a cult plane and that's indicated by market values, but hands down its the most speed for dollar and has ramp appeal to go with. Why a comparison to a Comanche? It's a unique airplane with some great character(istics). I doubt aileron rolls and barrel rolls in the Comanche would be near as much fun. This discussion is about like the "full fuel useful load" debates.

If a Viking fits the needs of cabin space, then pretty much everything else is a bonus. Do your diligence on the front side. Just expect to sell it for less than you paid for it and enjoy flying. Pretty much like every plane.

163kts LOP with very balanced GAMI's on a '79 with fully enclosed nose wheel.
Even with the veluere headliner and 70's plaid interior.

How can you not like this plane?
Go fly one with someone that knows them. Just take a good set of ANR headsets... Like we all have and enjoy the sports car feel over an SUV.

Okay so now my friend with his new to him Bellanca thinks his plane is faster than my V35A. I have a new 520 BB and have cleaned up the airframe by removing the Flying V and other unneeded antennae. His tired Bellanca just had an annual with multiple cylinder compressions in the mid to low 50's. Thoughts?

Shouldn't have called it tired in case he beats you

So which one goes 175 knots?

I don't think anyone mentioned airframe strength, you seem to be defaulting to the bellanca "need to defend wood even if no one asks" syndrome.

as for speed, yes it will go fast, that's not the question, it's the gph that it requires and the cramped cabin that doesn't square with those numbers

My '72 17-30A, which has a NA Continental 520, does around 155kts TAS all day long at altitude (~7k). From what I know, most of the Viking fleet won't do anywhere near 215mph indicated in level flight, save for the later models with the 550 and some of the speed mods (nosegear doors, etc.).