The Viking is a derivative of the Bellanca Cruisair, a retractable gear taildragger with two extra vertical fins on the tips of the horizontal stabilizer.

After the original Bellanca company went out of business, Downer Aircraft took over the type certificate and built the 14-19-2 Cruisemaster by mating the airframe with a Continental O-470 of 230 hp.

The later Vikings retain the oversized vertical fin that contributes to the distinctive flying characteristics of the aircraft.

The company was based in Minnesota and employed skilled craftsmen who manufactured the wing from spruce, and the new 300 hp model was named the "Viking" in respect to the many Scandinavians of the area.

The aircraft fuselage is constructed from tubular steel overlaid with fabric, while the wings are fashioned from spruce with a plywood skin.

Bill Cox, an aviation journalist at Plane and Pilot Magazine commented regarding the flying qualities of Vikings that they "have long been famous for control response and harmony that seems almost psychic in nature",[2] and asserted, "Owners almost unanimously pronounce the Viking the best handling airplane they've ever flown.