Boeing XB-15

The Boeing XB -15 (Model 294 ) was a heavy bomber of the United States Army Air Corps ( USAAC ) of 1937, was built of which only a prototype.

In 1934 there was an announcement of the United States Army Air Corps for a heavy bomber with a range of 5,000 miles ( 8050 km ). The first name of the USAAC for the design was XBLR -1 (experimental status, bomber, long range, model 1). The application name " BLR " was only used for 1935-1936 only three designs. Even before the first flight, it was renamed the XB- 15th When the XB -15 first flew on October 15, 1937, she was the largest and most voluminous airplane, which was built up to that point in the U.S..

It broke a number of records in the payload. On 30 July 1939, a record flight was made with 14,154 kg at 2500 m altitude. Due to the size you could move around on shafts in the wings, for example, to carry out minor engine repairs. As the airspeed was low, took a 5,000 -mile flight several days. For this purpose there was even a sleeping area for the crew members.

It was planned to install 1000 hp water-cooled engines, but due to lack of engines R -1830 -11 radial engines were 850 hp ( 637 kW) Pratt & Whitney payable used. The aircraft was therefore greatly underpowered and only reached a top speed of 322 km / h Since this was far too slow for an acceptable heavy bombers, the project was discontinued. No XB- 15 was put into service, the prototype for the XC -105 cargo aircraft for the USAAC was instead converted.

Outstanding innovations in the XB -15

  • Autopilot
  • Automatic de-icing aircraft
  • Power supply independent of the engines
  • Engines maintainable through service transitions in flight
  • Schlaf-/Aufenthalts- and laundry room for the crew
  • Double frosted retractable landing gear

Specifications

Pictures of Boeing XB-15

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