Convair XB-53 forward-swept wing tailless bomber

In 1/144 scale.





Available here:

http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/ConvairXB-53CataloguePage.htm

...An old NACA Langley clip of wind tunnel tests of this design:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCPI45YNM0E

Very interesting.

I was asking for a 3d view for this plane, but I found this thread:

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,5164.msg102150/highlight,xb-53.html#msg102150

I understand now the A-44 is the same plane than XB-53. Is this correct ?

Yes, correct. The USAF no longer desired an "A for attack" class of aircraft and reallocated A-42 as B-42, A-43 as F-87, A-44 as B-53 and A-45 as B-51.
Of course, being redesignated as a fighter, the A-43 project became a slighty different bird, and the same goes for the B-51 bomber.

Anyone know if XA-44/XB-53 originated as a Convair San Diego or Fort Worth project?

Code One magazine posted this yesterday. I believe the design originated in San Diego. - SP

Here's another GA drawing of the XB-53
(from Lloyd S. Jones "U.S. Bombers B1 - B70", Aero Publishers Inc., 1962)

All these decades I've been reading about and watching videos of aircraft and I don't recall realizing that some wind tunnel tests have been done tethered instead of mounted on a post or lever arm.

COPY

CONSOLIDATED VULTEE AIRCRAFT CORPORATION


Subject:
XA-44 (XB-53) Airplane
Contract W33-038 ac-7674
Armament Installation

To:
Commanding General
Air Materiel Command
Wright Field
Dayton, Ohio

Attention:
Engineering Division
Bombardment Branch
TSEOA-2

1. This letter will confirm conference this date between Colonel H. E. Warden, Mr. K. N. Scholes of AMC and R.C. Sebold, E.H. Watts and O.H. Snyder of Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation.

2. In brief review, the subject contract was initiated for the procurement of three (3) XB-46 airplanes. During the progress of the contract, our Fort Worth Division prepared a preliminary design study of the XA-44 airplane. The preliminary design study was submitted to AMC for their comments and it was found that the airplane represented an advance type configuration with excellent performance characteristics and appeared to be a very potential weapon. The AMC decided in October 1945 to cancel procurement of the SB-46 airplane and to substitute therefore the procurement of XA-44 model airplanes. Subsequent discussions led to the cancellation of two XB-46 airplanes and the substitution therefor of two XA-44 airplanes. As development of the XA-44 design progressed, the AMC decided to convert this type of airplane to a light bomber. At approximately this same period, a circular proposal was issued requesting bids on a light bombardment aircraft to meet published military characteristics. The XA-44 design, re-designated the XB-53, was submitted in response to the circular proposal, however, since this Corporation could not at that time convert the model to meet all military characteristics, especially defensive armament features, no award was made to us on the light bomber competition. Shortly after an award was made on the light bomber competition, we were requested to submit a quotation covering the modification of the XA-44 design to comply fully with the light bomber military characteristics.

3. This Corporation has exhausted every effort in the design of defensive armament which will meet the military characteristics and will perform satisfactorily on the XB-53 airplane. It has been concluded by this Corporation in agreement with AMC’s Engineering Division, that the present development of defensive armament has not kept pace with the development of high performance airplanes reaching a Mach number of 0.9, and that any defensive armament installation developed to date or which can be developed within the foreseeable future will completely destroy the aerodynamic advancement which has been accomplished in this design. It is therefore our recommendation that the development of this aircraft proceed without the installation of defensive armament.



OHS :ey

Colonel Holtoner

Brief Outline of the Background of the XB-53 Light Bomber Project.

Click to expand...

1. The XB-53 is the outgrowth of the XA-44, which was previously changed from the XB-46. The original XB-46 contract, written in March of 1945, called for the procurement of four aircraft. Three were to be flight articles and one a static test article. The static test article was cancelled in June of 1945 leaving the three flight articles on contract at an estimated cost of $10,418,642.19.

2. Under the original 1945 contract, work progressed concurrently with the XB-45 project until it was found that the XB-46 had nothing to offer performance-wise that was not obtainable in the XB-45. Since the XR-45 offered a greater potential for the installation of the equipment, it was desirable to discontinue the XB-46. However, in view of the considerable amount of fabrication accomplished on the first XB-46, it was not considered economical to completely cancel the project. Therefore, in order to take advantage of the aerodynamic information amassed and utilize the contractor’s resources on the XB-46, it was decided to cancel two articles of the XB-46 contract and in their place procure two XA-44’s (of an attack proposal submitted by Consolidated). This change was accomplished in December of 1945 by a change order on the XB-46 contract. One of the main considerations in granting approval for the change order to continue one XB-46 and build two XA-44's, in lieu of two XB-46’s on the unexpended funds of the original contract, was the fact that Consolidated stated that they could deliver the same number of airplanes with increased amount of data and mock-ups contemplated originally. The increased amount of data and mock-ups included additional research and development for two separate jet bombers. It represented an expenditure of only $650,000 more than the cost resulting from the stoppage of the XB-46 contract and the procurement of three XA-44 airplanes. It was further stated that the $10,418,642.19 plus the $650,000 would be the maximum cost and would probably be reduced when cancellation charges of the two XB-46’s were considered.

3. In June of this year, another change in this project was proposed. This was to convert the XA-44 to a light bomber to be known as the XB-53 at an additional cost of approximately $1,260,177. This change was favorably considered since there no longer existed military requirements for the attack airplane and it also involved a change in the sweep of the wings from 12° to 30°, which increased high speed of 64 mph and a cruising speed of 87 mph without a sacrifice in range.

4. The total authorized expenditure of the above amounts to approximately $12,328,800. This, in addition to the present request for $7,435,543 to complete the XB-53 contract, makes a total of approximately $19,764,370 which is about $8,000,000 more than the original contract of the XB-46.

5. Originally the change order on the XB-46 contract was conceived to secure an airplane of a more advanced design and thereby effecting a more economical use of government funds previously obligated. However, the result is an airplane comparable to the XB-51 at a much higher cost. Therefore, it is recommended that the XB-53 project be discontinued.

IN REPLY ADDRESS BOTH
COMMUNICATION AND
ENVELOPE TO ATTENTION
OF FOLLOWING OFFICE SYMBOL:
TSENG (TSESA2)


SUBJECT: Procurement of Bomber Type Airplanes.

TO: Commanding General,
Army Air Forces, Washington 25, C.
Attn: ACAS-4

1. This Command has been currently carrying out preliminary negotiations with Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation for the design and development of an Attack Bomber designated as XA-44. The discussions have been carried on with a view toward obtaining the greatest amount of development consistent with the availability of funds. The Contractor has agreed to carry on the work on a fixed price contract.

2. Insofar as the straight wing jet propelled medium bomber is concerned, it is felt that this type is amply covered by existing contracts with North American and Glenn L. Martin Company, for the XB-45 and XB-48 airplanes. Accordingly, it was considered advisable to cancel the XB-46 and use the funds for the procurement of the XA-44 airplane, which subject has been previously discussed by the Chief, Engineering Division and ACAS-4. However, at a recent conference held between the General Manager, Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation, and the Chief, Engineering Division, it was pointed out that a considerable amount of work has been accomplished and a great deal of money has been spent on the XB-46 contract. Accordingly, it was proposed by the Contractor to complete one (1) flight article XB-46 and design and develop two (2) flight articles, XA-44 on a fixed price contract, all for the present amount of money set up on the XB-46 Letter Contract. The Contractor will not proceed with the actual fabrication and construction of the XA-44 airplanes until Phase I is essentially completed and the entire project has been entirely reviewed. Following this procedure will permit obtaining an Attack Airplane essentially in agreement with Military Characteristics of 25 July 1945.

5.The XA-44 airplane is considered to be one of the cleanest designs presented to this Command for a tactical airplane. Brochures describing this airplane have been distributed to your office and to the office of ACAS-3 by the Washington representative of Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. Estimated performance data for this airplane are as follows:

High speed, sea level
561 mph

High speed, 13,000 ft.
583 mph

Tactical operating radius 5,000 ft. Alt. to and return from target at 58,000# gross weight
535 miles

Tactical operating radius 5,000 ft.. Alt. to and return from target at 64,000# gross weight and with wing tip tanks
691 miles

Service ceiling, 58,000# gross weight
44,000 feet

Take-off over 50-foot obstacle, 58,000# gross weight, no auxiliary thrust
5,900 feet

Take-off over 50-foot obstacle, 64,000# gross weight, no auxiliary thrust
7,600 feet

12 Fixed forward firing guns, .50 cal.

8 Flexible guns, turret mounts, .50 cal.

Note: Maximum bomb load of 12,000# can be carried internally. Radar ranging for offensive armament and radar scanning for control of defensive armament.

4. In view of the extremely desirable development program and the best utilization of funds, it is requested that the plan and procedure discussed with Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation for retention of one (1) XB-46 and procurement of two (2) XA-44 airplanes be approved.

Hi,

hesham said:

Convair XB-53 Forward Swept Wing Bomber by Erik Simonsen

Convair XB-53 Forward Swept Wing Bomber by Erik Simonsen

erik-simonsen.pixels.com

Click to expand...

Erik is one of the most amazing aviation artists today! He occasionally shares some of his "would-be" operational aircraft on my dedicated FB imaginary aircraft page and it's always a treat.

From the first ten books,which I got them in early of my life.