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Boeing Xb-15




The Boeing XB-15 ('''Boeing 294''') was a Bomber Aircraft first designed in 1934 as a test for the United States Army Air Corps to see if it was possible to build a Heavy Bomber with a 5,000 mile (8,000 km) range. It was originally designated the '''XBLR-1''' (''experimental bomber, long range''). When it first flew, it was the most Mass ive and most Voluminous Airplane ever built in the United States . It set a number of load-to-altitude records, including a 31,205-pound flight to 8,200 feet ( July 30 1939 ).

The aircraft's immense size allowed for passages within the wing, which the crew could use to make minor repairs in flight. Due to the technology of the time, a 5,000 mile flight took several days; the crew was made up of several shifts, and bunks allowed them to sleep when off duty.

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DEVELOPMENT

The XB-15 was designed around Liquid-cooled 1,000 hp (750 kW) engines. Unfortunately, these were not available, and 850 hp (637 kW) engines were used instead. These engines left the bomber significantly underpowered; its top speed of 200 mph (322 km/h) was far too slow for a combat aircraft, and the project was abandoned. No B-15s were put into service; the Army Air Corps converted the only prototype into a Transport designated the XC-105 .


TECHNOLOGICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Despite its cancellation, the XB-15 did feature a number of significant innovations:
  • Automatic Pilot

  • De-icing equipment

  • Auxiliary power units independent of the main engines to power the electrical system

  • Engines serviceable in flight using an access tunnel inside the wing

  • Crew compartment with rest Bunk s, Galley and Lavatory

  • Double-wheel main Landing Gear .



SPECIFICATIONS (XB-15)

  plane Or Copter plane
  jet Or Prop prop
  crew 10
  length Main 87 ft 7 in
  length Alt 326 m
  span Main 149 ft 0 in
  span Alt 455 m
  height Main 18 ft 0 in
  height Alt 55 m
  area Main 2,780 ft&sup2
  area Alt 258 m&sup2
  empty Weight Main 65,000 lb
  empty Weight Alt 30,000 kg
  loaded Weight Main 69,000 lb
  loaded Weight Alt 31,000 kg
  max Takeoff Weight Main 77,000 lb
  max Takeoff Weight Alt 37,000 kg
  number Of Props 4
  engine (prop) Pratt & Whitney R-1830 -11
  type Of Prop Radial Engine s
  power Main 850 hp
  power Alt 640 kW
  max Speed Main 200 mph
  max Speed Alt 170 kt, 320 km/h
  cruise Speed Main 152 mph
  cruise Speed Alt 132 kt, 245 km/h
  range Main <br>
  range Alt 3,000 nm, 5,500 km)
  ceiling Main 18,900 ft
  ceiling Alt 7,830 m
  climb Rate Main 670 ft/min
  climb Rate Alt 34 m/s
  loading Main 25 lb/ft&sup2
  loading Alt 120 kg/m&sup2
  power/mass Main 0049 hp/lb
  power/mass Alt 81 W/kg
  guns <br>
  bombs 12,000 lb (5,400 kg)




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