Bell XFL Airabonita: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|American fighter aircraft}} |
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{|{{Infobox |
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin |
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|name = XFL Airabonita |
|name = XFL Airabonita |
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|image = File:Bell XFL-1 |
|image = File:Bell XFL-1 1588 Ray Wagner Collection (15721763944).jpg |
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|caption = |
|caption = |
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}}{{Infobox |
}}{{Infobox aircraft type |
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|type = [[Carrier-based aircraft|Carrier-based]] [[interceptor aircraft]] |
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|type =Fighter |
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|national origin = United States |
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|manufacturer = [[Bell Aircraft]] |
|manufacturer = [[Bell Aircraft]] |
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|designer = |
|designer = |
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|introduced = |
|introduced = |
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|retired = |
|retired = |
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|status = |
|status = Canceled |
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|primary user = [[United States Navy]] |
|primary user = [[United States Navy]] |
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|more users = |
|more users = |
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|produced = |
|produced = |
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|number built =1 |
|number built = 1 |
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|unit cost = $125,000<ref>Dorr and Scutts 2000, p. 19.</ref> |
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|developed from = [[Bell P-39 Airacobra]] |
|developed from = [[Bell P-39 Airacobra]] |
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|variants with their own articles = |
|variants with their own articles = |
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The '''Bell XFL Airabonita''' was |
The '''Bell XFL Airabonita''' was an American experimental [[Carrier-based aircraft|carrier-based]] [[interceptor aircraft]] developed for the [[United States Navy]] by [[Bell Aircraft Corporation]] of Buffalo, New York. It was similar to and a parallel development of the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]]’ land-based [[P-39 Airacobra]], differing mainly in the use of a [[Conventional landing gear|tailwheel undercarriage]] in place of the P-39's tricycle gear. Only one [[prototype]] was built. |
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{{TOC limit|limit=2}} |
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==Design and development== |
==Design and development== |
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The XFL-1 (Bell Model 5) was powered by a single [[Allison V-1710|Allison XV-1710-6]] [[ |
The XFL-1 (Bell Model 5) was powered by a single 1,150 hp (858 kW) [[Allison V-1710|Allison XV-1710-6]] liquid-cooled [[V12 engine]] installed amidships behind the pilot and driving a three-bladed [[Curtiss Electric]] [[propeller (aircraft)|propeller]] in the nose through a 10.38 ft (3.16 m) extension shaft. The aircraft had provisions for a single 37 mm (1.46 in) [[M4 cannon|Oldsmobile T9]] [[autocannon|cannon]] which could be replaced by a .50 in (12.7 mm) [[M2 Browning machine gun|Browning M2/AN]] machine gun firing through the propeller shaft and two .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns in the [[fuselage]] nose. It first flew on 13 May 1940.<ref name="Bowers 1979, pp. 26–30.">Bowers 1979, pp. 26–30.</ref> |
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Although based on the P-39, the XFL-1 |
Although based on the P-39, the XFL-1 utilized a conventional [[Landing gear|tail-wheel undercarriage]] and the coolant radiators were housed externally in fairings under the wings instead of within the wing center section. The Allison engine was the first of its type to be tried out by the Navy, and lacked the [[Turbocharging|turbosupercharger]] fitted to the XP-39.{{#tag:ref|Note: Navy engines were distinguished by the use of an even dash number while those for the Army used odd ones.|group=N}}<ref name="Bowers 1979, pp. 26–30."/> |
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==Operational history== |
==Operational history== |
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[[ |
[[File:Bell XFL-1 Airabonita.jpg|thumb|right]] |
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[[File:Ray Wagner Collection Image (16156831180).jpg|thumb|right|The XFL-1 in flight]] |
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Delivery of the prototype to the U.S. Navy was delayed due to difficulties with the Allison engine until February 1941 and it was not accepted as navy property until March.<ref name="Bowers 1979, pp. 26–30."/> During tests, the aircraft was plagued with engine and landing gear problems and was returned to Bell for modifications in December 1941, but before the modifications were completed, the U.S. Navy decided that the XFL-1 was not suitable for further development.<ref name="Bowers 1979, pp. 26–30."/> |
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In January 1938, the U.S. Navy issued a specification for a light carrier-based fighter to replace the obsolete biplanes then in use. On 11 April 1938, Bell, Brewster, Curtiss, Grumman, and Vought-Sikorksy submitted proposals but only three received contracts. Two of them were awarded contracts for one prototype each on 30 June 1938; these were for the [[Grumman XF5F-1 Skyrocket]] and the [[Vought XF4U-1 Corsair]]. The third contract, which was signed on 8 November, went to Bell Aircraft for one XFL-1 Airabonita. All three aircraft made their first flight in 1940: the XF5F-1 on 1 April, the XFL-1 on 13 May, and the XF4U-1 on 29 May. |
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⚫ | As a possible further reason for the rejection it is often stated that the Navy's position during that era was that all its aircraft should use air-cooled engines (while the Allison was liquid-cooled). This appears unfounded speculation. The U.S. Navy "would consider a liquid-cooled engine installation provided a material increase in performance over air-cooled engine can be shown."<ref>Thomason 2008, p. 1.</ref> |
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Subsequent tests were prolonged because of difficulties with the Allison engine and problems with the balance of the aircraft. Official evaluation began in July 1940 but the XFL-1 failed to be certified for carrier operations because of main landing gear problems. The prototype was returned to Bell for modifications in December 1940 and returned to the Navy on 27 February 1941 at [[Naval Support Facility Anacostia|Naval Air Station Anacostia, District of Columbia]]. Based on the test results, the Navy decided not to order production of the aircraft. |
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⚫ | In addition, the Allison engine had only a single-speed supercharger |
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⚫ | In February 1942, the XFL-1 was transferred to the Aircraft Armament Unit at [[Naval Air Station Patuxent River]], Maryland. It was later grounded, used for armament tests, and later destroyed. For many years its remains were visible at the dump at NAS Patuxent River.<ref>Dorr and Scutts 2000, p. 20.</ref><ref>Thomason 2008, p. 52.</ref> |
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Lastly, the Airabonita had to compete against the considerably faster [[Vought F4U Corsair]], the first U.S. Navy fighter to exceed 400 mph (644 km/h) in level flight.<ref>Thomason 2008, p. 49.</ref> |
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⚫ | As a possible further reason for the rejection, it is often stated that the Navy's position during that era was that all its aircraft should use air-cooled engines (while the Allison was liquid-cooled). This appears unfounded speculation. The U.S. Navy "would consider a liquid-cooled engine installation provided a material increase in performance over air-cooled engine can be shown."<ref>Thomason 2008, p. 1.</ref> |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | In addition, the Allison engine had only a single-speed supercharger. Consequently, its altitude performance was much inferior to other naval fighters of the period, such as the [[Grumman F4F Wildcat]]. {{#tag:ref|The U.S. Army Air Corp's P-39 and [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk|Curtiss P-40]], which used the same engine, had the same difficulty; the [[Lockheed P-38 Lightning]] used the same engines but incorporated [[Turbosupercharger|exhaust-driven superchargers]] to achieve good altitude performance.|group=N}} |
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Lastly, the Airabonita had to compete against the faster though not "light" [[Vought F4U Corsair]], which in the initial F4U-1 version was capable of 390 mph at 24,000 ft.<ref>{{Cite book|title=America's Hundred Thousand. US production Fighters of World War Two|last=Dean|first=Francis H|publisher=Schiffler Publishing Ltd|year=1997|isbn=0-7643-0072-5|pages=Chapter 5 Fighters Compared Speed Comparisons}}</ref> |
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==Operators== |
==Operators== |
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;{{USA}} |
;{{USA}} |
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*[[United States Navy]] |
* [[United States Navy]] |
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==Specifications (XFL-1 Airabonita)== |
==Specifications (XFL-1 Airabonita)== |
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[[File:XFL-1 In flight NAN12-80.jpg|thumb|right|XFL-1]] |
[[File:XFL-1 In flight NAN12-80.jpg|thumb|right|XFL-1]] |
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{{Aircraft |
{{Aircraft specs |
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|prime units?=imp |
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|ref={{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} |
|ref={{Citation needed|date=December 2008}} |
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|crew=One |
|crew=One |
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|length |
|length ft=29 |
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|length |
|length in=9 |
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|length m=9.07 |
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|span main=35 ft 0 in |
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|span |
|span ft=35 |
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|span in=0 |
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⚫ | |||
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|span m=10.67 |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|height in=9 |
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⚫ | |||
|height m=3.89 |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|empty weight alt=2,341 kg |
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⚫ | |||
|loaded weight main=6,651 lb |
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|empty weight lb=5,161 |
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|empty weight kg=2,341 |
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|gross weight lb=6,651 |
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⚫ | |||
|more general= |
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|max takeoff weight lb=7,212 |
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⚫ | |||
|max takeoff weight kg=3,271 |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|number of props=1 |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|eng1 number=1 |
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|power alt=858 kW |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|eng1 kw= |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|range main=1,072 mi |
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⚫ | |||
|range alt=1,725 km |
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|range miles=1,072 |
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|range km=1,725 |
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|ceiling ft=30,900 |
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⚫ | |||
|ceiling m= |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
|power/mass alt=280 W/kg |
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⚫ | |||
|more performance= |
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|guns=<br> |
|guns=<br> |
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**2 × 0.30 cal (7.62 mm) machine guns |
**2 × 0.30 cal (7.62 mm) machine guns |
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== |
==Notes== |
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===Notes=== |
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{{Reflist|group=N}} |
{{Reflist|group=N}} |
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===Citations=== |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} |
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===Bibliography=== |
===Bibliography=== |
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* Angelucci, Enzo. "The American Fighter". |
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{{Refbegin}} |
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* Bowers, Peter M. "Airborne Cobra Pt.II". ''Airpower'', Vol. 9, No. 1, January 1979. |
* Bowers, Peter M. "Airborne Cobra Pt.II". ''Airpower'', Vol. 9, No. 1, January 1979. |
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* Dorr, Robert F. and Jerry C. Scutts. ''Bell P-39 Airacobra''. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2000. ISBN |
* Dorr, Robert F. and Jerry C. Scutts. ''Bell P-39 Airacobra''. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2000. {{ISBN|1-86126-348-1}}. |
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* Green, William. "Bell XFL-1 Airabonita". ''War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Four: Fighters''. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1961 (6th impression 1969), pp. 13–14. ISBN |
* Green, William. "Bell XFL-1 Airabonita". ''War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Four: Fighters''. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1961 (6th impression 1969), pp. 13–14. {{ISBN|0-356-01448-7}}. |
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* Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. "Bell XFL-1 Airabonita". ''WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: US Navy and Marine Corps Fighters''. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1976, p. 3. ISBN |
* Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. "Bell XFL-1 Airabonita". ''WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: US Navy and Marine Corps Fighters''. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1976, p. 3. {{ISBN|0-356-08222-9}}. |
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* Kinzey, Bert. "XFL-1 Airabonita". ''P-39 Airacobra - in detail''. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., 1999, p. 8. ISBN |
* Kinzey, Bert. "XFL-1 Airabonita". ''P-39 Airacobra - in detail''. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., 1999, p. 8. {{ISBN|978-1-88897-416-4}}. |
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* Pelletier, A.J. "Bell Aircraft since 1935". |
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* Thomason, Tommy. ''Bell XFL-1 Airabonita (Naval Fighters Number Eighty-One)''. Simi Valley, California: Ginter Books, 2008. ISBN 0-942612-81-7. |
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* |
* Thomason, Tommy. ''Bell XFL-1 Airabonita (Naval Fighters Number Eighty-One)''. Simi Valley, California: Ginter Books, 2008. {{ISBN|0-942612-81-7}}. |
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* Tomalik, Jacek. ''Bell P-6 Kingcobra, XFL-1 Airabonita, P-39 Airacobra (Monografie Lotnicze 59)'' (in Polish). Gdansk, Poland: AJ-Press, 2001. {{ISBN|83-7237-034-6}}. |
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{{Refend}} |
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* Wagner, Ray. "American Combat Planes Of The 20th Century". |
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* Wixey, Ken. "Flying Cannon: Bell's Cobra Family, Part One". ''Air Enthusiast'', No. 80, May–June 1999, pp. 20–27. {{ISSN|0143-5450}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{ |
{{Commons category inline|Bell XFL Airabonita}} |
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{{Bell Aircraft}} |
{{Bell Aircraft}} |
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{{USN fighters}} |
{{USN fighters}} |
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{{aviation lists}} |
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[[Category:Bell aircraft|F1L]] |
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[[Category:1940s United States fighter aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Mid-engined aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]] |
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[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]] |
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1940]] |
Latest revision as of 15:06, 2 April 2024
XFL Airabonita | |
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Role | Carrier-based interceptor aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Bell Aircraft |
First flight | 13 May 1940 |
Status | Canceled |
Primary user | United States Navy |
Number built | 1 |
Developed from | Bell P-39 Airacobra |
The Bell XFL Airabonita was an American experimental carrier-based interceptor aircraft developed for the United States Navy by Bell Aircraft Corporation of Buffalo, New York. It was similar to and a parallel development of the U.S. Army Air Corps’ land-based P-39 Airacobra, differing mainly in the use of a tailwheel undercarriage in place of the P-39's tricycle gear. Only one prototype was built.
Design and development[edit]
The XFL-1 (Bell Model 5) was powered by a single 1,150 hp (858 kW) Allison XV-1710-6 liquid-cooled V12 engine installed amidships behind the pilot and driving a three-bladed Curtiss Electric propeller in the nose through a 10.38 ft (3.16 m) extension shaft. The aircraft had provisions for a single 37 mm (1.46 in) Oldsmobile T9 cannon which could be replaced by a .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning M2/AN machine gun firing through the propeller shaft and two .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns in the fuselage nose. It first flew on 13 May 1940.[1]
Although based on the P-39, the XFL-1 utilized a conventional tail-wheel undercarriage and the coolant radiators were housed externally in fairings under the wings instead of within the wing center section. The Allison engine was the first of its type to be tried out by the Navy, and lacked the turbosupercharger fitted to the XP-39.[N 1][1]
Operational history[edit]
In January 1938, the U.S. Navy issued a specification for a light carrier-based fighter to replace the obsolete biplanes then in use. On 11 April 1938, Bell, Brewster, Curtiss, Grumman, and Vought-Sikorksy submitted proposals but only three received contracts. Two of them were awarded contracts for one prototype each on 30 June 1938; these were for the Grumman XF5F-1 Skyrocket and the Vought XF4U-1 Corsair. The third contract, which was signed on 8 November, went to Bell Aircraft for one XFL-1 Airabonita. All three aircraft made their first flight in 1940: the XF5F-1 on 1 April, the XFL-1 on 13 May, and the XF4U-1 on 29 May.
Subsequent tests were prolonged because of difficulties with the Allison engine and problems with the balance of the aircraft. Official evaluation began in July 1940 but the XFL-1 failed to be certified for carrier operations because of main landing gear problems. The prototype was returned to Bell for modifications in December 1940 and returned to the Navy on 27 February 1941 at Naval Air Station Anacostia, District of Columbia. Based on the test results, the Navy decided not to order production of the aircraft.
In February 1942, the XFL-1 was transferred to the Aircraft Armament Unit at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. It was later grounded, used for armament tests, and later destroyed. For many years its remains were visible at the dump at NAS Patuxent River.[2][3]
As a possible further reason for the rejection, it is often stated that the Navy's position during that era was that all its aircraft should use air-cooled engines (while the Allison was liquid-cooled). This appears unfounded speculation. The U.S. Navy "would consider a liquid-cooled engine installation provided a material increase in performance over air-cooled engine can be shown."[4]
In addition, the Allison engine had only a single-speed supercharger. Consequently, its altitude performance was much inferior to other naval fighters of the period, such as the Grumman F4F Wildcat. [N 2]
Lastly, the Airabonita had to compete against the faster though not "light" Vought F4U Corsair, which in the initial F4U-1 version was capable of 390 mph at 24,000 ft.[5]
Operators[edit]
Specifications (XFL-1 Airabonita)[edit]
Data from [citation needed]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 29 ft 9 in (9.07 m)
- Wingspan: 35 ft 0 in (10.67 m)
- Height: 12 ft 9 in (3.89 m)
- Wing area: 232 sq ft (21.6 m2)
- Empty weight: 5,161 lb (2,341 kg)
- Gross weight: 6,651 lb (3,017 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 7,212 lb (3,271 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Allison XV-1710-6 V-12 piston engine, 1,150 hp (860 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 336 mph (541 km/h, 292 kn)
- Range: 1,072 mi (1,725 km, 932 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 30,900 ft (9,400 m)
- Rate of climb: 2,630 ft/min (13.4 m/s)
- Wing loading: 29 lb/sq ft (140 kg/m2)
- Power/mass: 0.17 hp/lb (280 W/kg)
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 × 0.30 cal (7.62 mm) machine guns
- 1 × 0.50 cal (12.7 mm) machine gun or 37 mm cannon
See also[edit]
Related development
Notes[edit]
- ^ Note: Navy engines were distinguished by the use of an even dash number while those for the Army used odd ones.
- ^ The U.S. Army Air Corp's P-39 and Curtiss P-40, which used the same engine, had the same difficulty; the Lockheed P-38 Lightning used the same engines but incorporated exhaust-driven superchargers to achieve good altitude performance.
References[edit]
Bibliography[edit]
- Angelucci, Enzo. "The American Fighter".
- Bowers, Peter M. "Airborne Cobra Pt.II". Airpower, Vol. 9, No. 1, January 1979.
- Dorr, Robert F. and Jerry C. Scutts. Bell P-39 Airacobra. Ramsbury, Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press Ltd., 2000. ISBN 1-86126-348-1.
- Green, William. "Bell XFL-1 Airabonita". War Planes of the Second World War, Volume Four: Fighters. London: Macdonald & Co. (Publishers) Ltd., 1961 (6th impression 1969), pp. 13–14. ISBN 0-356-01448-7.
- Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. "Bell XFL-1 Airabonita". WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: US Navy and Marine Corps Fighters. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1976, p. 3. ISBN 0-356-08222-9.
- Kinzey, Bert. "XFL-1 Airabonita". P-39 Airacobra - in detail. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., 1999, p. 8. ISBN 978-1-88897-416-4.
- Pelletier, A.J. "Bell Aircraft since 1935".
- Thomason, Tommy. Bell XFL-1 Airabonita (Naval Fighters Number Eighty-One). Simi Valley, California: Ginter Books, 2008. ISBN 0-942612-81-7.
- Tomalik, Jacek. Bell P-6 Kingcobra, XFL-1 Airabonita, P-39 Airacobra (Monografie Lotnicze 59) (in Polish). Gdansk, Poland: AJ-Press, 2001. ISBN 83-7237-034-6.
- Wagner, Ray. "American Combat Planes Of The 20th Century".
- Wixey, Ken. "Flying Cannon: Bell's Cobra Family, Part One". Air Enthusiast, No. 80, May–June 1999, pp. 20–27. ISSN 0143-5450
External links[edit]
Media related to Bell XFL Airabonita at Wikimedia Commons