Convair XB-53
The Convair XB-53 was a proposed jet-powered medium bomber aircraft, designed by Convair for the United States Army Air Force.[1] With a radical tailless, forward-swept wing design, the aircraft appeared futuristic; however, the project was cancelled before either of the two prototypes was completed.[1]
Design and development
The project was originally designated XA-44 in 1945 under the old "attack" category. An unusual forward-swept wing-design powered by three J35-GE turbojets, the project was developed in parallel with Convair's XB-46. It would have a wing with a 30° forward-sweep and 8° dihedral that was borrowed from German wartime research. The swept-forward configuration would give the aircraft a greater climb rate and maneuverability. It looked promising enough at one point for the Army Air Force to consider cancelling the XB-46 in favor of the XA-44, since there was not enough funding for both.[1]
Classified as a medium bomber, the XB-53 would have carried up to 12,000 pounds of bombs as well as 40 High Velocity Aerial Rockets (HVAR) mounted on underwing pylons.[1]
Convair argued for completion of the XB-46 prototype as a flying testbed, sans armament and other equipment, and with the substitution of two XA-44s for the other two B-46 airframes on contract. The Air Force ratified this in June 1946 but the project did not progress, nor were additional B-46s built. The XA-44 was re-designated XB-53 in 1948 when the "attack" category was dropped, but the project was cancelled before the two prototypes were completed. The XA-44 program was reinstated in February 1949 but only for a short while.
Specifications (XB-53)
Data from [2]
General characteristics
Performance (estimated)
Armament
- Bombs: 12,000 lb (5,400 kg)
See also
- Related lists
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
- Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Bombers, B-1 1928 to B-1 1980s. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, 1962, second edition 1974. ISBN 0-8168-9126-5.
- Knaack, Marcelle Size. Encyclopedia of U.S. Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems, Volume II - Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973. Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History, USAF, 1988. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
- Wagner, Ray. American Combat Planes - Second Edition. Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Company, 1968. ISBN 0-370-00094-3.
External links
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See also: B-20 (redesignation of A-20 in 1948) · B-26 (redesignation of A-26 in 1948) · Post-1962 list |
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