Boeing XF6B

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The Boeing XF6B-1 / XBFB-1 was Boeing's last biplane design for the United States Navy. Only the one prototype, "Model 236", was ever built; although first flying in early 1933, it rammed into a crash barrier in 1936 and the design was not pursued further.

Design and development

Ordered by the Navy on 30 June 1931, the plane was a derivative of the F4B; it was nearly entirely of metal construction, with only the wings still fabric-covered. It was powered by a 625 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-44 Twin Wasp.

The intended role of this design turned out to be uncertain. While its rugged construction was capable of withstanding high "g"-forces, it weighed in at 3,704 pounds (700 pounds more than the F4B), and did not have the maneuverability needed in a fighter aircraft. It was, however, suitable as a bomber fighter, and in March 1934 the prototype was redesignated XBFB-1 in recognition of its qualities. Even so, various ideas were tried to improve its fighter qualifications, such as improved engine cowling, streamlining around the landing gear, and even a three-bladed propeller (two-bladed props being standard). Performance remained unsatisfactory and the Navy instead bought the F11C Goshawk.

Operators

;flag|United States|1912
*United States Navy

pecifications

aerospecs
ref=Angelucci, 1987. pp. 85-86.
met or eng?=eng

crew=1
capacity=
length m=6.73
length ft=22
length in=1.5
span m=8.68
span ft=28
span in=6
height m=3.22
height ft=10
height in=7
wing area sqm=23.41
wing area sqft=252
empty weight kg=1,281
empty weight lb=2,823
gross weight kg=1,680
gross weight lb=3,704

eng1 number=1
eng1 type=Pratt & Whitney R-1535-44
eng1 kw=
eng1 hp=625
eng2 number=
eng2 type=
eng2 kw=
eng2 hp=

max speed kmh=322
max speed mph=200
cruise speed kmh=274
cruise speed mph=170
stall speed kmh=
stall speed mph=
range km=845
range miles=525
endurance h=
endurance min=
ceiling m=
ceiling ft=
g limits=
roll rate=
climb rate ms=6.04
climb rate ftmin=1190

armament1=2x .30in machine guns
armament2=500lb (227kg) bombs
armament3=
armament4=
armament5=
armament6=

aircontent
see also=
related=
similar aircraft=
lists=

References

Bibliography

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* Lloyd S. Jones, "U.S. Naval Fighters" (Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977, ISBN 0-8168-9254-7), pp. 115-117
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