The BA-B4B was based on Andreasson's 1944 wooden BA-4 revised to take advantage of more modern construction techniques, such as the use of sheet metal. The first example was built by apprentices at the Malmö Aircraft Industry (M.F.I.).^[1] It is a single-bay, staggered-wing biplane with fixed tailwheel undercarriage. P.J.C Phillips acquired worldwide production rights for complete, rather than kit built, version and marketed them in the UK through Crosby Aviation.^[2] In the US the B-4B was marketed by Larry Karp as the Canary Hawk.

In 2014 there were six BA-4Bs on the UK civil register, one Crosby built and the others homebuilt. Three of these have the Continental O-200-A engine but the other three use Lycoming flat fours with outputs between 81 kW (108 hp) and 119 kW (160 hp).^[3] In 2009 four BA-4Bs remained on the Swedish register.^[4]

Andeasson B-4 (Midget)

Wood and fabric biplane first flown in 1944, powered by a 21 kW (28 hp) Scott Squirrel.^[1]

Andreasson B-4B

All-metal version. First prototype built by M.F.I apprentices in c.1964. Plans marketed.^[5]

Crosby (Andreasson) B-4B

Sold complete, powered by a 75 kW (100 hp) Rolls-Royce Continental O-200-A flat four.^[2]

Crosby (Andreasson) Super B-4B

As B-4B but with a 89 kW (120 hp) Rolls-Royce Continental O-240-A flat four.^[2]

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1974/5^[2]

General characteristics

• Crew: One
• Length: 4.67 m (15 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 5.64 m (18 ft 6 in)
• Wing area: 8.36 m² (90.0 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 295 kg (650 lb)
• Max takeoff weight: 460 kg (1,014 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 56.3 L (12.4 imp gal; 14.9 US gal) internal. Provision for external tank holding extra 50 L (11.0 imp gal; 13.2 US gal)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Continental O-200-A flat four, 75 kW (100 hp)
• Propellers: 2

Performance

• Maximum speed: 241 km/h (150 mph, 130 kn) level flight, sea level
• Cruise speed: 217 km/h (135 mph, 117 kn) 75% power at 2,134 m (7,000 ft)
• Stall speed: 73 km/h (45 mph, 39 kn) power on
• Range: 573 km (356 mi, 309 nmi) standard fuel, 75% power
• Rate of climb: 6.1 m/s (1,200 ft/min) maximum at sea level
• Wing loading: 54.7 kg/m² (11.2 lb/sq ft)

Related development

• BA-11

Notes edit

Bibliography edit

• Taylor, John W R (1974). Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1974–75. London: Jane's Yearbooks. pp. 181, 205. ISBN 0-354-00502-2.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 60.
• Partington, Dave (2010). European registers handbook 2010. Air Britain (Historians) Ltd. ISBN 978-0-85130-425-0.