US Bombers

Antonio

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North American Aircraft 1934-1998 Volume 1
Norm Avery
ISBN 0-913322-05-9

North American Model NA-98X Super Strafer

Early in 1944, the USAAF requested NA for an advanced B-25 development powered with Pratt&Whitney R-2800-51 engines and specially suited for the high speed strafer role with the eight gun nose.

In the book, we can find this radical 400 mph low-altitude attacker with tandem Allison V-3420 and a developed B-25H that led to the NA-98X

Acording to te text, we learn taht B-25H 43-4406 was modified to act as a prototype and was flown on March 31, 1944 but crashed on April 24, 1944 and program was cancelled.
 

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Intercontinetal bomber designs (rivals to Convair's designs to B-36 competition)

Sources:

B-36 Peacemaker. Detail&Scale Series

Magnesium Overcast. Dennis R. Jenkins
 

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Antonio

Look at this!..., they are patented bombers projects between 1935 and 1941. I dont know where i get this information, and i have no additional information about it. Just enjoy them.

But, if you have any information tell me, specially those Theodoropoulos designs because i want to know more about these "Flash Gordon" era bombers.

Saludos

Fabián
 

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They all are on www.adventurelounge.com/aircraft
(and much more...)
 
My little summary on US Heavy Bomber Evolution from 1934 to 1945

Additions, corrections, etc...will be wellcome as usual :)

Antonio


Sources:

International Air Power Review Vol.4, 5 and 13. Airtime Publishing

US Bombers 1928 to 1980s. Lloyd S. Jones. Aero Pub

Magnesium Overcast. Dennis R. Jenkins. Speciality Press

Giants of the Sky. Bill Gunston. PSL

B-29 Superfortress. Part 1. Detail & Scale Vol. 10. Alwyn T. Lloyd.

Boeing Aircraft since 1916. Peter M. Bowers. Putnam

B-29 In Action

B-24 In Action

B-17 In Action

B-36 In Action



By 1934, when Billy Mitchell young devotees had risen to decisive positions in the USAAC it was time to develop the long range bomber concept.
In 1934 it was officially launched as Project A. Influenced by the Soviet ANT-20 supposed performances, a 5,000 miles (8000 Km) range was requested for the Project A design. (In fact this was 6 times the real figure from the ANT-20)
Project A was intended to carry out defensive operations in Alaska, Hawaii and Panama from CONUS bases.
Submissions came from Boeing and Martin.

Experimental Long Range Bomber (Project A)
Allison V-1710-3 in-line engines were specified for both designs. 1000 hp

XB-15. Boeing Model 294. A flying wing layout was also studied.
XB-16. Martin Model 145 initial layout. In 1935 layout changed to twin boom configuration.

1934, August. Boeing developed Model 299, a scaled down derivative from Model 294 design work to enter the USAAF new multi-engined bomber competition. The aircraft was designated XB-17. This program was conceived not for a long range bomber but a coastal defence aircraft capable of attacking enemy warships.
Model 299 range was 3000 miles. It was powered by P&W Hornet radials. 750 hp

1935, February. The USAAC announced Project D for the development of a Very Long Range Bomber. Project D had to push the limits one step beyond from Project A. A prototype was expected to be ready for March 1938.
Submissions came from Douglas and Sikorsky
Allison XV-3420-1 in-line engines were specified. 1600 hp

Douglas (Model number unknown to me)
Sikorsky restricted project No. M5-35

1935, summer. Both Project A and D merged under the BLR prefix.
Boeing XBLR-1
Douglas XBLR-2
Sikorsky XBLR-3
Martin never get the XBLR-4 designation because it was cancelled.

1935, July. XB-17 made its maiden flight.

1936. XBLR-3 was also cancelled and Boeing and Douglas designs get the B prefix.

Boeing XB-15. Powerplant specification changed to P&W R-1830 Twin Wasp radials. 1200 hp
Douglas XB-19. Powerplant specification changed to Wright R-3350 radials. 2000 hp

1937. XB-15 made its maiden flight while XB-19 suffered delays because Douglas priorities concentrated in other designs. USAAC ordered them to go ahead with the project.
The XB-15 was underpowered so a P&W R-2180 version was considered under the designation Y1B-20 but later cancelled.

1938, March. Boeing offers a new long range bomber based on XB-15 experience. Boeing Model 316 is designated Y1B-20 (second use for this designation) and later XB-20. Several variations studied with Wright Cyclone (1350 hp) or P&W R-2180-5 (1400 hp) engines. The project was cancelled. Model 334, a pressurized B-17 derivative with tricycle undercarriage was also considered.

1938 USAAF requested Consolidated for heavy bomber with a performance exceeding the B-17. The answer was Model 32, B-24

1939, January. USAAC asked Consolidated to create a new production outlet for the B-17 but they replied with a counter-offer, the Consolidated Model 32 which was accepted as the XB-24 (Powerplant: P&W R-1830-33 Twin Wasp radial. 1200 hp).

1939, July. First B-17B delivered

1939. Boeing continued studies on a Long Range Bomber under Model Numbers 334A and 341.

1940, January. USAAC issued a requeriment for what it was known as the “Superbomber”. Range: 5333 miles. Speed: 400 mph.
Submissions came from:

XB-29: Boeing Model 345 (the latest refinement of the Model 316 and Model 341 line)
XB-30: Lockheed Model 51-81-01
XB-31: Douglas Model 332F
XB-32: Consolidated Model 33

The figures for the XB-29 were Range: 5830 miles. Speed: 365 mph. Powerplant: Wright R-3350-23 radials (2200 hp)

1941, April. A competition for an intercontinental bomber was initiated. In the case of a German invasion of the UK and USA involved in the War against Germany, a bomber capable of operations from America against Europe would be needed. Required range was 10.000 miles.

Proposals came from:

* Consolidated Model 35
* XB-36: Consolidated Model 36
* Consolidated Flying Wing Bomber
* Boeing Model 384
* Boeing Model 385
* Boeing twin boom bomber(Model Number unknown to me)
* XB-35: Northrop (Model Number unknown to me)
* North American NA-116
* Burnelli B-2000B

With the fortunes of War, the project lost its priority. The attack on Pearl Harbour shifted priority to B-24 and XB-32. In September, 1942 highest priority was required again but this time not for the European theatre but this time to fly across the Pacific. Nevertheless, until the cancellation of the B-32 production, the project received little interest.

1941, summer. XB-19 made its maiden flight.

1942, September. B-29 first flight.

1946, August. B-36 First Flight.
 

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Lark send me this Douglas Bomber looks like a DC-4E relative.


http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=311.0

In fact the DC-4E was sold to Japan and became the basis for its Heavy Bomber technology. The Shinzan and the Renzan derived from it.

I have no additional info besides this pic so I don't know when it was designed. My theory is that it was an early stage of design development in the Project D. The final configuration choosen from this work was the XB-19.

What do you think about?
 

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Boeing Superbomber ancestors
 

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Superbomber entries
 

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B-36 Initial design
 

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I'm pretty certain that the XB-35 was the Northrop N-9, that's why the subscale "proof of concept" aircraft were "N-9B".
 
I'm pretty certain that the XB-35 was the Northrop N-9, that's why the subscale "proof of concept" aircraft were "N-9B".

Thanks a lot for the info, Evan
 
Dear Pometablava,
Are you sure of the titles for the 2 pictures you posted above as (twin-boom) Martin XB-16? I agree for the one above, but the one below, with a V-tailplane was mentionned as Flying Whale in a source I had, presented as future in the early 1940s... This does not match the XB-16 but I am not sure. Please confirm this is a late XB-16, telling me your source if you remind it.
Thanks a lot! :)
 
Please confirm this is a late XB-16, telling me your source if you remind it.
International Air Power Review Vol.4, 5 and 13. Airtime Publishing


Dear Friend

If you need more info I can send you via email

Antonio :)
 
pometablava said:
North American Aircraft 1934-1998 Volume 1
Norm Avery
ISBN 0-913322-05-9

North American Model NA-98X Super Strafer

Early in 1944, the USAAF requested NA for an advanced B-25 development powered with Pratt&Whitney R-2800-51 engines and specially suited for the high speed strafer role with the eight gun nose.

In the book, we can find this radical 400 mph low-altitude attacker with tandem Allison V-3420 and a developed B-25H that led to the NA-98X

Acording to te text, we learn taht B-25H 43-4406 was modified to act as a prototype and was flown on March 31, 1944 but crashed on April 24, 1944 and program was cancelled.

I have to wonder if these designs were part of the design evolution from the B-25 to the XB-28.
 
I have to wonder if these designs were part of the design evolution from the B-25 to the XB-28.

I think the XB-28 was intended for the high altitude bomber role while the NA-98 was a low altitude bomber. In my opinion they are two different lines evolving from a common ancestor
 
And here is the third picture of Martin XB-16 ;) My picture is the original XB-16 proposal (model 145-A) from late 1934. It looked much like Junkers Ju-90 and the USAAF was interested mainly because they were going to use four Allison V-1710 engines. But performances were too low, so prototype was not ordered.

Wingspan: 42,7 m
Lenght: 25,6 m
Height: 6 m
Empty weight: 14 510 kg
Take off weight: 29 510 kg
Armament: 1135 kg of bombs
Speed: 195 km/h
Range: 8100 km (without weapons up to 9980 km)
Maximal Endurance: 42 hrs
Maximal altitude: 6860 m

Martin engineers decided to build something more impressive, which can defend against gigantic XB-15 and XB-19. So they completely redesigned the plane. It had double tail, six engines and improved performances. It didnt interested USAAF too.

Wingspan: 52,7 m
Lenght: 35 m
Empty weight: 23 000 kg
Take-off weight: 47 620 kg
Max. speed: 415 km/h
Normal speed with weapons: 225 km/h
Range: 5300 km

Final version was direct competitor to XB-17. It had once again four unspecified engines (two push, two pull), V tail, some progressive ideas as blended wing/fuselage etc. It was also not realized.

Source: L+K, January/05, pg. 59
 

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Liberator evolution design.

Pics courtesy of Lark ;)
Dear Friend, do you remember the sorce?

Thanks in advance
 

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Here it is:

"The B-24 Liberator- A Pictorial History"
Allan G.Blue , Ian Allan , London,1979
page:198

"SeeYou...
 
B-36 Leggenda e realtà by Pietro Gianvanni. Italian mag JP-4

XB-35
Early XB-36 configuration
Deffinitive XB-36
 

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B-36 Leggenda e realtà by Pietro Gianvanni. Italian mag JP-4

Taken directly from the AAHS Journal B-36 articles... ::)
But Pietro is an hero in the little Italian aviation history community, so he's forgiven ;D
 
Are you sure of the titles for the 2 pictures you posted above as
(twin-boom) Martin XB-16?
But see Walt Boyne in Airpower Sept 1972 and the thread 'Unknown American Aircraft Projects'
 
.... in basic concept, it most nearly resembles the first offering of the stillborn Martin XB-16 with its tractor /pusher arrangements and twinboom configuration....

So far text by Walt Boyne.
 
Hi,

Again about Martin bomber projects;

XB-16 Model-145A was four engined heavy bomber and XB-16A Model-145B
was six engined heavy bomber.
XB-33 Model-189 was twin engined medium bomber and XB-33A Model-190
was four engined medium bomber.
 
Hi,

A Model for Douglas XB-31.
 

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Hi,

The Northrop N-45 was ERB-35B and N-48 was EB-35B.
 
Hi,

The Burnelli A-1 bomber project which involved in a competition led
to develope Martin B-26.
And The Burnelli X-BAB-3 attack bomber project which involved in
a competition led to develope Douglas A-20.
 

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A bit rectification...

The Burnelli A-1 project was intended for the 1935 Army AirCorps
competition won by the Douglas B-18 .

Source: Burnelli's bombers by Dave Ostrowki-Skyways No.34 April1995
 
Hi,

I heard about a competition for medium attack bomber,the main contenders were
Martin A-22,Stearman A-21,Bell Model-9,Douglas DB-7 and Northamerican Na.40,
was that anther contenders in this competition ?.
 
Hi All,

There was a project from Northamerican,the B-25H for USN as
twin engined attack bomber,and anther project also from
Northamerican as twin engined attack aircraft for USN during
the WW2; any idea ?!.
 
The USN actually used B-25 of several variants operationally with the designation
PBJ-1 and even conducted carrier trials on board USN Shangri La, although no missions
of Navy Mitchells were ever flown from a carrier.
(from Squadron Signal No.34)
 

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Were they all known as PBJ-1, regardless of noses fitted?



Jemiba said:
The USN actually used B-25 of several variants operationally with the designation
PBJ-1 and even conducted carrier trials on board USN Shangri La, although no missions
of Navy Mitchells were ever flown from a carrier.
(from Squadron Signal No.34)
 
The Signal Squadron issue say, that PBJ-1 was the designation for all
Navy B-25, the suffix were the same, as for the USAF versions,
e.g. PBJ-1D for the B-25D; PBJ-1H for the B-25H and so on ...
 
Hi,

What was that bomber for Martin ?
 

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hesham said:
Hi,

What was that bomber for Martin ?

That looks like an extreme variation on the basic Marauder concept. I wonder if that was from during the design evolution or is a separate model/study?
 
... This radical Army bomber design with canards and twin tailbooms in early pre-WW II markings is the
Martin model 189 , designs No.4 , dated Jan.23,1940 and shows a strong family resemblence to the model 179 , better known as the B-26 Marauder.
Wingspan of the 189-4 is 73ft.8in....

So far :"Designers' Dreams" by David Ostrowski in: Skyways No.37 of Jan.1996.
page: 25.
Highly recommended..
 
Hi,

Anther James Taylor bomber transport aircraft of 1940.
 

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