Keystone B-3
The Keystone B-3A was a bomber aircraft developed for the United States Army Air Corps in the late 1920s.
Design and development
It was originally ordered as the LB-10A (a single-tail modification of the Keystone LB-6), but the Army dropped the LB- 'light bomber' designation in 1930.
Although the performance of the B-3A was hardly better than that of the bombers flown at the end of World War I, it had come a long way. In terms of its safety, it was far superior to its oldest predecessors.
Operational history
The B-3A was the last biplane operated by the US Army; it remained in service until 1940. A few years after it was first produced, the introduction of all-metal monoplanes rendered it almost completely obsolete.
Variants
- LB-10
- The last of the 17 LB-6s ordered (S/N 29-27) was converted with a re-designed single fin and rudder and two 525 hp R-1750E engines. Delivered to Wright Field on 7 July 1929, it was wrecked on 12 November 1929.
- LB-10A
- This version used Pratt and Whitney R-1690-3 Hornet engines and was slightly smaller, both wingspan and fuselage. a total of 63 were ordered (S/N 30-281/343). It was re-designated as the B-3A before any deliveries were made, and the final 27 were built as B-5A.
- B-3A
- 36 delivered as B-3A (S/N 30-281/316). The first aircraft was delivered in October 1930.
- B-5A
- Ordered as B-3A, re-engined with Wright R-1750-3 Cyclone engines, 27 built (S/N 30-317/343).
Operators
- United States
- United States Army Air Corps
- 2d Bombardment Group, Langley Field, Virginia
- 4th Composite Group, Nichols Field, Luzon, Philippines
- 5th Composite Group, Luke Field, Territory of Hawaii
- 6th Composite Group, France Field, Panama Canal Zone
- 7th Bombardment Group, March Field, California
- 19th Bombardment Group, Rockwell Field, California
- Air Corps Advanced Flying School, Kelly Field, Texas
- Philippines
Specifications (B-3A)
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
- Guns: 3 × .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns
- Bombs: 2,500 lb (1,100 kg); 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) on short runs
See also
- Related development
- Related lists
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Andrade, John. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979, pp. 43, 135. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). London: Orbis Publishing, 1985, p. 2255.
- Maurer, Maurer. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Air Force Historical Studies Office, 1982. ISBN 0-89201-097-5.
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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