Boeing F2B
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| F2B | |
|---|---|
 Boeing F2B-1, U.S. Navy Photo |
|
| Type | Carrier-based Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Boeing |
| Maiden flight | 3 November 1926 |
| Introduced | 20 January 1928 |
| Primary users | U.S. Navy Japan, Brazil |
| Number built | 32 plus 1 prototype |
| Developed from | Boeing XP-8 |
The Boeing F2B was an biplane fighter aircraft of the United States Navy of the 1920s, familiar to aviation fans of the era as the craft of the Three Sea Hawks aerobatic flying team, famous for its tied-together formation flying.[1]
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[edit] Development
Initially the Boeing Model 69, it was inspired by the results of tests on the FB-6, which was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340B Wasp radial engine. Boeing set out to use this engine in a fighter designed specifically for carrier operations, using the same welded-tubing fuselage and wooden-frame wings as for the Model 15, and adding a large spinner to reduce air drag around the engine (this was dropped in production). Armament was either two .30 cal. machine guns, or one .30 cal. and one .50 cal.; the lower wing had attachments for up to four 25-pound bombs, plus a fifth could be hung from the fuselage.[2]
[edit] Operational history
First flight was November 3, 1926. The Navy acquired the prototype as XF2B-1, which was capable of reaching speeds of 154 mph, and was sufficiently impressed to order 32 F2B-1s. In addition to omission of the spinner, the production versions also had a balanced rudder. Delivery began January 20, 1928, with some assigned to fighter squadron VF-1B and others to bomber squadron VF-2B, both operating from USS Saratoga (CV-3).[2]
Although the Navy did not order any more F2Bs, Boeing built two more, as Model 69Bs, exporting one to Brazil and the other to Japan.[2]
[edit] Variants
- Model 69
- XF2B-1, one prototype serial number A7385[1]
- Model 69
- F2B-1, 32 aircraft serial numbers A7424-A7455[1]
- Model 69B
- two aircraft, generally similar to the F2B-1, one each to Brazil and Japan.[3]
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (F2B-1)
Data from "The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" [4]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 22 ft 11 in (6.98 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft 1 in (9.17 m)
- Height: 9 ft 2.25 in (2.81 m)
- Wing area: 243 ft² (22.57 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,989 lb (902 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,805 lb (1,272 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-1340-8 Wasp Radial, 425 hp (317 kW)
Performance
- Never exceed speed: knots (mph, km/h)
- Maximum speed: 137.3 knots (158 mph, 254 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 114.7 knots (132 mph, 212 km/h)
- Range: 273.8 nm (315 mi, 507 km)
- Service ceiling 21,500 ft (6,555 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,890 ft/min (9.6 m/s)
Armament
- One 0.5 in (12.7mm) M2 Browning and one 0.3 in (7.62mm) forward firing M1919 Browning machine guns or two 0.3 in (7.62mm) forward firing machine guns in the forward fuselage
- Five 25 lb (11.3 kg) bombs carried under the fuselage and lower wing
[edit] References
- Eden, Paul and Moeng, Soph. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.
- Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Naval Fighters. Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977. ISBN 0-8168-9254-7.
- Swanborough, Gordon and Bowers, Peter M. United States Navy Aircraft Since 1911. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1976. ISBN 0-87021-968-5.
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Related lists
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