Northrop N-3PB
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Northrop N-3PB is a sleek single engine low wing float plane with a crew of three. The Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service was the only customer of the type. Norway was in need of a replacement for the Naval Air Service's MF-11 biplane patrol aircraft and ordered 24 aircraft on March 12th 1940.
Before the aircraft could be delivered, Norway was invaded by the Germans. All of the aircraft were delivered to the exiled Royal Norwegian Naval Air Service (RNNAS), operating as an RAF unit (No. 330 (Norwegian) Squadron) in Reykjavík, Iceland. The RNNAS operated the N-3PBs on anti-submarine and convoy escort duties.
After the war the two surviving aircraft were flown to Norway, but both were scrapped sometime in the 1950s.
In the seventies, a N-3PB wreck was located at Iceland. The aircraft was rescued, and later restored by Northrop in California. This only surviving aircraft is currently on exhibition as part of Forsvarets Flysamling (The Norwegian Military's Airplane Collection) at Gardermoen, Norway.
[edit] Specifications
- Type: patrol bomber/torpedo bomber floatplane
- Manufacturer: Northrop Aircraft, Inc., Hawthorne, California
- Number Built: 24
- Length: 38' (10.97 m)
- Height: 12' (3.66 m)
- Wingspan: 48 ft 11 in (14.91 m)
- Wing area: 376.8 sq. feet (34.93 m)
- Empty Weight: 6,190 lb. (2808 kg)
- Takeoff Weight: 10,600 lb. (4808 kg)
- Maximum speed: 257 mph (414 km/h)
- Cruise Speed: 215 mph
- Range: 1,000 miles (1,609 km)
- Ceiling: 28,400 ft (7392 m)
- Power plant: Wright Cyclone, 1200 hp
- Armament: (4) 50-cal guns, (2) 30-cal guns, (1) 2,000 torpedo, or equivalent weight of bombs
- Crew: 3 (pilot, navigator, wireless operator)
[edit] Military Operators
- Norway.
