Burnelli RB-2

Burnelli RB-2
Role Biplane freighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Burnelli
Designer Vincent Burnelli
First flight 1924
Number built 1
Developed from Burnelli RB-1

The Burnelli RB-2 was a 1920s American twin-engined biplane freighter or airliner, designed by Vincent Burnelli with a lifting body fuselage. At the time it was the world's largest commercial freighter. It was the first aircraft to carry a motor car inside its fuselage.

Design and development

The RB-2 was based on the earlier RB-1 airliner, it had improved control surfaces and was powered by two 650hp Galloway Atlantic piston engines.[1] It had a corrugated metal construction with a dural skin giving it an empty weight of 5 tons.[1] The passenger cabin could be fitted with 25 seats or used for freight.[1]

In 1925 the aircraft was used by the Hudson Motor Car Company as a flying showroom for the Essex automobile.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "AeroFiles - Burnelli aircraft". www.aerofiles.com. 13 October 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  2. ↑ David Noland (1 November 1989). "The Burnelli Controversy". Air & Space Magazine.