[needs update] Its design was a refinement of the Bensen B-7, and like that aircraft, the B-8 was initially built as an unpowered rotor-kite.

The design proved to be extremely popular and long-lasting, with thousands of sets of plans sold over the next thirty years.

The B-8's design is extremely minimalist, with not much more to the aircraft than a pilot's seat, a single tailfin, a rotor, and (in powered versions) the powerplant.

In this scheme, it was proposed to integrate combat aircraft ejection seats with a small autogyro or rotor kite to allow downed pilots more control over their post-ejection landing spot.

Related lists This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.