The Model B was the first powered aircraft designed by brothers Howard and Joe Funk, whose previous experience was in homebuiltgliders and sailplanes. The Model B was a strut-braced high-wingmonoplane with aconventional tail unit and fixedtailwheel landing gear. The design uses mixed construction with fabric-covered wooden wings and a welded steel-tube fuselage. The aircraft was powered by the brothers' ownModel Eengine developed from aFord "B" motor-car engine. The prototype first flew in late 1933.[1]
When the test flights proved to be successful the brothers formed theAkron Aircraft Company in 1939 to build the Funk B. After production began, the engine was changed to a 75 hp (56 kW)Lycoming GO-145-C2 horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine and was re-designated theModel B-75-L.
After the war in 1946 production was resumed using aContinental C85-12 engine and the aircraft was redesignated theModel B-85-C and named theBee. It did not sell well and production was halted in 1948. 380 aircraft of all variants had been built.