Burnelli UB-14

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The Burnelli UB-14 was a 1930s American prototype lifting-fuselage airliner designed and built by Vincent Burnelli.

Design and development

Following on from his earlier designs Vincent Burnelli designed a commercial transport version using the lifting-fuselage concept. Burnelli's designs were based on the idea that an aerofoil-section fuselage would contribute to the lift generated. The Burnelli UB-14 first flew in 1934, the aerofoil-section fuselage was the centre-section of the wing. The aircraft had twin tailbooms and a widespan tailplane and elevator fitted with twin fins and rudders. The UB-14 had a retractable landing gear and was powered by two Pratt & Whitney radial engines. An enclosed cockpit for the crew of two was located on the centre wing's upper surface. The cabin held 14 to 18 passengers.

Operational history

The first prototype, UB-14, was destroyed in a 1935 accident attributed to faulty maintenance on the aileron control system.^[1] Burnelli then designed and built an improved version, the UB-14B. A modified version of the UB-14B design was built under licence in the United Kingdom by Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft powered by two Bristol Perseus XIVC radials as the Cunliffe-Owen OA-1.^[2]

The Perseus XIVc powered Cunliffe-Owen O.A.1 in July 1939

The Cunliffe-Owen failed its airworthiness certification due to excessive take off run and poor workmanship. It was performance tested at the A&AEE Boscombe Down in 1939.^[3]

Variants

UB-14 Prototype, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Built by Burnelli Company. Destroyed 13 January 1935, without injury to those aboard.
UB-14B Second prototype with modifications. Built by Burnelli Company.
UB-14B Third prototype, modified from second unit. Built by Cunliffe Owen Aircraft in United Kingdom.

Specifications (UB-14B)

General characteristics

Crew: Two
Capacity: 14-18 passengers
Length: 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
Wingspan: 71 ft 0 in (21.64 m)
Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
Wing area: 686 ft² (63.73 m²)
Empty weight: 9,200 lb (4173 kg)
Gross weight: 17,500 lb (7938 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Hornet radial piston engines, 750 hp (560 kW) each each

Performance

Maximum speed: 210 mph (383 km/h)
Cruise speed: 205 mph (330 km/h)
Range: 1240 miles (1996 km)
Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6705 m)

References

Notes

↑ Website for Burnelli successor company
↑ "Fast Air Liner To Compete In Atlantic Race" Popular Mechanics, May 1937 photo shows the mockup of original UB-14B to be built by Scottish Aviation before bankruptcy. This design was going to have streamline inline engines. The OA-1 used radial engines.
↑ Mason, The Secret Years Hidoki 1998 p242

Bibliography

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Burnelli.

Photographs of the Burnelli UB-14

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v t e Aircraft produced by Vincent Burnelli

RB-1 RB-2 CB-16 GX-3 UB-14 UB-20 OA-1 CBY-3

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