Boeing XF6B

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The Boeing XF6B-1 / XBFB-1 was Boeing's last biplane design for the United States Navy. Only the one prototype was ever built; although first flying in early 1933, it rammed into a crash barrier in 1936 and the design was not pursued further.

[edit] Design and development

Ordered by the Navy on June 30, 1931, the plane was a derivative of the F4B; it was nearly entirely of metal construction, with only the wings still fabric-covered. It was powered by a 625 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-44 Twin Wasp.

The intended role of this design turned out to be uncertain. While its rugged construction was capable of withstanding high g-forces, it weighed in at 3,704 pounds (700 pounds more than the F4B), and did not have the maneuverability needed in a fighter aircraft. It was, however, suitable as a bomber fighter, and in March 1934 the prototype was redesignated XBFB-1 in recognition of its qualities. Even so, various ideas were tried to improve its fighter qualifications, such as improved engine cowling, streamlining around the landing gear, and even a three-bladed propeller (two-bladed props being standard).

[edit] Operators

 United States

• United States Navy

[edit] References

• Lloyd S. Jones, U.S. Naval Fighters (Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977, ISBN 0-8168-9254-7), pp. 115-117

v • d • e USN/USMC bomber designations 1931-1962 Bomber Douglas: BD Great Lakes: BG  • B2G Martin: BM Naval Aircraft Factory: BN Northrop: BT  • B2T Consolidated: BY  • B2Y Bomber Drone Interstate: BDR Bomber Fighter Boeing: BFB Curtiss: BFC  • BF2C Bomber Torpedo Curtiss: BTC  • BT2C Douglas: BTD  • BT2D Kaiser-Fleetwings: BTK Martin: BTM

v • d • e USN fighter designations pre-1962 General Aircraft/Brewster: XFA  • F2A  • F3A Boeing: FB  • F2B  • F3B  • F4B  • XF5B  • XF6B  • XF7B  • XF8B Curtiss: FC  • F2C  • F3C  • F4C  • F6C  • F7C  • F8C  • F9C  • F10C  • F11C  • XF12C  • F13C  • XF14C  • F15C Douglas: FD  • F2D  • F3D  • F4D  • F5D  • F6D Grumman: FF  • F2F  • F3F  • F4F  • XF5F  • F6F  • F7F  • F8F  • F9F Panther/F9F Cougar  • XF10F  • F11F  • XF12F Eberhart: FG  • F2G Goodyear FG  • F2G McDonnell: FH  • F2H  • F3H  • F4H Berliner-Joyce: XFJ  • F2J North American: FJ-1/FJ-2/3/4 Loening: FL Bell: XFL  • F2L  • XF3L General Motors: FM  • F2M  • F3M Seversky: FN Lockheed: FO Ryan: FR  • XF2R Northrop: XFT  • F2T Vought: FU  • XF2U  • F3U  • F4U  • XF5U  • F6U  • F7U  • F8U/XF8U-3 Lockheed: XFV Wright: WP  • F2W  • F3W Convair: XFY  • F2Y

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