Consolidated Models 33/34: Genesis/derivatives of the "Dominator"

[Apophenia]

Some images of Consolidated Model 33/B-32 derivatives courtesy of Lark. The original images are via the San Diego Air and Space Museum but were published in an Air Classics article by Robert Bradley entitled 'Determining the Dominator'. I assume that this Air Classics article was a prelude to Robert E. Bradley's book, 'Convair Advanced Designs: Secret Projects from San Diego, 1923-1962' (Specialty Press, 2010). http://www.specialtypress.com/convair-advanced-designs-secret-projects-from-san-diego-1923-1962.html

Consolidated Model 33/Model 34/B-32 Development Stages

Illustrations attached below are:

LB-25 concept (06 May 1940) - Possible 'going-in' configuration for the R-40B competition. Retractable remotely-controlled dorsal and ventral gun turrets (4 x .50-cal), manned tail turret (4 x .50-cal), twin-gun barbettes in inboard nacelle tails (2 x .50-cal, 1 x 20mm each), remotely-controlled forward-firing guns in the leading edges (outboard of engines, 1 x .50-cal each).

LB-25 concept (29 Feb 1940) - Predating US Army Air Corps requirement R-40B (issued 08 April 1940) and Specification XC-218. The nose shape is similar to the Model 35 (which led to the B-36). An LB-25 wind tunnel model was completed in Oct 1939.

Also see LB-25 wind tunnel model:
http://glostransporthistory.visit-gloucestershire.co.uk/images/Consolidated%20XB-32%20TOP.jpg
http://glostransporthistory.visit-gloucestershire.co.uk/images/Consolidated%20XB-32%20AFT.jpg

Model 33 - Dec 1940 configuration derived from LB-25 study. Circular fuselage section, retractable gun turrets, frameless glazings on clear nose cap and canopy.

Model 33 defensive armament layout (17 June 1942). In March 1943, a 6-turreted XB-32 escort variant similar in concept to the XB-41 was also proposed.

 

[Apophenia]

More from Lark ...

Consolidated Model 33/Model 34/B-32 Bomber Powerplant Alternatives

Ttwin-engined Model 33 bomber (11 Sept 1942) - Engines unknown. Presumably this was a follow-on study from the LB-29 'twin-engined Liberator' study for the US Navy. In his Air Classics article, Robert Bradley claims that a twin-engined B-32 was offered again to the USN in April 1945, possibly mounting two P&W R-4360 engines.

Turboprop B-32 - 4 x 2,300 shp General Electric TG-100/XT31 turboprops. Turboprop-powered B-32 studies began in Oct 1944. This turboprop version was not pursed because, in tests, the GE engines could only produce 1,700 shp.

 

[Apophenia]

More from Lark ...

Consolidated Model 34/B-32 US Navy Patrol Bomber Derivatives

USN Patrol Bomber Model 34 (Apr 1945) - 5 x turrets (nose, tail, twin dorsal, and retractable belly turrets with twin .50-cal guns each) retractable radar radome, AWS suite, and optional bomb-bay-mounted K-17 cameras.

USN Patrol Bomber Model 34 (Apr 1945) - Inboard section

 

[Apophenia]

More from Lark ...

Model 33/Model 34 Military Transport Derivatives

Troop transport Model 34 (1943) - Interior layout, up to 130 troops, 92 paratroops (plus equipment), or 91-litter casevac layout.

Cargo transport Model 34 (1943) - Interior layout (side); 12' diameter fuselage; 108 foot length; 135' span; range 4,400 miles (with 10,000 lbs
of cargo); empty weight 57,384 lbs; gross weight 100,000 lbs.

Military transport Model 34 (1943) - 3-view drawing

 

[Apophenia]

More from Lark ...

Model 33/Model 34 Airliner Derivatives

(Moderator: I've included these here because of their relationship to the B-32. If inappropriate, please move.)

Studies of commercial Model 33 variants began in August 1941. The concept was for a crew of 6, 78 day passengers, 34 night berths, and maximum range of 1,500 miles.

Commercial transport Model 33 (Dec 1941)

Commercial Model 33 - Bomber fuselage (8'6" diameter), pointed nose (02 Feb 1943). The third B-32-20-CF was reportedly converted into a
paratroop transport - possibly to the illustrated configuration.

Commercial transport Model 33 (Dec 1941) - Interior layout

Commercial Model 34 (Mar 1943) - Revised version. Longer and increased-diameter (12') fuselage, rounded nose, B-29-style tailplane

BTW: Does anyone know the Consolidated 'LC' (Land Commercial) designations for these airliner variants?

 

[Stargazer]

Split from topic on U.S. Bombers. Thanks a lot to lark and Apophenia for this wealth of information.

When there is such an amount of info and pics on one single subject, it's safe enough to start a new topic!
Let's leave the "generic" topics for the one-offs and seldom documented projects...

 

[ACResearcher]

Apophenia, in your lead posting in this thread you mention an Air Classics article by Robert Bradley entitled 'Determining the Dominator'. Can you tell me what edition, etc. of Air Classics that was in?

Thanks in advance.

AlanG

 

[lark]

Air Classics
May 2010
(vol 46 Nr.5)

Success..

 

[ACResearcher]

Outstanding!

Thank you very much, Lark. Now to purchase a back issue!

AlanG

 

[lark]

Good luck ACR...

I saw that Challenge Publications changed
their website and reduced the back issues system.

 

[ACResearcher]

I called up Challenge Publications and within about two minutes had secured a back issue and it is on its way!

Thanks for all the help.

AlanG

 

[lark]

My pleasure..

 

[Grey Havoc]

American B-32 Bombers Kept Fighting Japan Even After World War II Had Ended

The very last fight of World War II.

news.yahoo.com

 

[JFC Fuller]

Another image of armament scheme shown in the last image in post #1, inspired by the images posted in this thread.

 

[hesham]

From Air Enthusiast 48.