| The
Boeing Model 294 was originally designated XBLR-1
(Experimental Bomber - Long Range), but became the
XB-15 before construction was complete. When
accepted by the Army Air Corps, it was the largest
bomber ever tested in the US. The XB-15 was powered
by four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-11 'Twin Wasp' radial
engines of 1,000 hp. each, but was still
significantly underpowered. The top speed of the
bomber was only 197 mph which was unacceptable and
the aircraft wasn't considered for production.
The aircraft had
several significant features: an automatic pilot,
deicers, auxiliary power units independent of the
main engines to power the electrical system (the
first on an aircraft), engines that were serviceable
in flight using an access tunnel inside the wing, a
crew compartment with rest bunks, galley and
lavatory, and double wheel main landing gear.
The XB-15's first
flight was 15 October 1937 and it set a world record
in 1939 for payload lift capacity and a national
distance record for flying a closed-course. The
XB-15 was converted to a cargo/transport plane after
bomber testing was complete. A large cargo door was
added to the aft fuselage and the XB-15 was
redesignated XC-105.
In service for eight
years, the airplane carried more than 5,200
passengers, 440,000 pounds of cargo and 94,000
pounds of mail. It flew 70 cargo trips and 60
missions including antisubmarine patrol.
|
TYPE
XB-15 |
Number Built/Converted
1 |
Remarks
XBLR-1 to XB-15 to XC-105 |
Notes:
- Serial Number: 35-277
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 149 ft. 0 in.
Length: 87 ft. 7 in.
Height: 19 ft. 5 in.
Weight: 65,068 lbs. gross
Armament: Three .30-cal. machine guns and
three .50-cal. machine guns; 12,000 lbs. of bombs
(max.)
Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830-11 Twin
Wasp radials of 1,000 hp. each
Crew: 10
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 197 mph
Cruising speed: 171 mph
Service ceiling: 18,850 ft.
Range: 3,400 miles with 2,500 lb. bomb load
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