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Stearman XBT-17

XBT-17
Role Training monoplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Stearman Aircraft
First flight 1940
Number built 1

The Stearman XBT-17 was a prototype 1940s American two-seat low-wing monoplane primary trainer designed and built by Stearman Aircraft (as the Model X-90).[1] It was evaluated by the United States Army Air Force in 1942 as the XBT-17.[2]

Design and development

The X-90 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with two-seats in tandem under an enclosed canopy.[1] It had a fixed conventional landing gear and was powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Lycoming R-680 engine and first flew in 1940.[1] It had wooden wings and a steel tube forward fuselage in order to minimize use of aluminum.[3] In 1942 the aircraft was re-engined with a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine and redesignated the Model X-91.[1] The X-91 was evaluated by the United States Army Air Force as the XBT-17 but no more were built.[1][2]

According to Edward H. Phillips, "At that time, worries at the War Department about a shortage of strategic materials such as aluminum alloy were rampant. The wood/metal composite construction of the proposed monoplane, which required more raw materials than the biplane trainers on an aircraft-by-aircraft basis, was a major factor in the Air Corps' decision not to place the XBT-17 into production, according to a Boeing technical report."[4]

Variants

Stearman X-90
Prototype basic trainer with a 225 hp (168 kW) Lycoming R-680 engine.[1]
Stearman X-91
The X-90 re-engined with a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine for USAAF evaluation.[1]
Stearman XBT-17
United States Army Air Force designation for the X-91.[2]

Specifications (XBT-17)

Data from [5]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)
  • Wingspan: 35 ft 9 in (10.90 m)
  • Wing area: 200 sq ft (19 m2)
  • Empty weight: 3,080 lb (1,397 kg)
  • Gross weight: 4,150 lb (1,882 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 , 450 hp (340 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 190 mph (310 km/h, 170 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 160 mph (260 km/h, 140 kn)
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,300 ft/min (6.6 m/s)

See also

Related lists

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g "American airplanes: Stearman". www.aerofiles.com. 1 December 2008. Retrieved 2010-02-16.
  2. ^ a b c Andrade 1979, p. 61
  3. ^ Bowers 1989, p.270.
  4. ^ Phillips, Edward (2006). Stearman Aircraft: A Detailed History. North Branch, MN: specialtypress. pp. 143–144. ISBN 9781580070874.
  5. ^ Bowers 1989, p.271.
Bibliography
  • Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
  • Bowers, Peter M. (1989). Boeing Aircraft since 1916 (Third ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.
Quelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stearman_XBT-17