Beechcraft XA-38
| Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Type: | Ground attack aircraft |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
May 7, 1944 |
| Number of pieces: |
2 |
The Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly was a heavily armed American ground attack bomber prototype. It was equipped with a forward-firing 75 mm cannon.
history
In December 1942 the USAAF signed a contract with the Beech Aircraft Corporation for two prototypes of the Model 28 "Destroyer". The aircraft, a further development of the Beechcraft 18 transport machine , was supposed to replace the Douglas A-20 Havoc and also be able to destroy hard targets such as tanks and bunkers . In addition, the aircraft received a fixed 75 mm cannon and two further forward-firing 12.7 mm M2 machine guns . Additional remote-controlled turrets with 12.7 mm twin machine guns were installed in the stern and on the underside of the fuselage. The aircraft had a crew of two men, the pilot and the observer / gunner in the rear cabin. This used periscopes to use the remote-controlled weapons.
The first flight of the prototype took place on May 7, 1944. But after the test series it was not ready to take part in Operation Downfall , the planned occupation of Japan .
The aircraft used the same engines as the large B-29 Superfortress bombers. The engines were therefore practically not available for other aircraft. So the project was canceled, even though the aircraft had excellent properties.
The aircraft convinced in all aspects and exceeded some expectations including the top speed. The armament was efficient but not yet ready to be used directly in combat. The aircraft could still have been ordered in large numbers, although the Wright R-3350 engines had priority over the B-29.
After the project was canceled, the first prototype was scrapped. The second prototype was intended for the USAF Museum , but never made it there. His fate is unknown.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| length | 15.8 m |
| Wingspan | 20.5 m |
| Wing area | 58 m² |
| height | 4.1 m |
| drive | two Wright R-3350-53 star engines with each 2700 HP (2013 kW) |
| Top speed | 605 km / h |
| Range | 1722 km |
| crew | two men |
| Service ceiling | 8500 m |
| Empty weight | 10,197 kg |
| All-up weight | 14,515 kg |
| Armament | 75 mm cannon, two 12.7 mm machine guns, two 12.7 mm twin machine guns, 907 kg bombs |
See also
Web links
Civil aircraft : Model 17 Staggerwing | Model 18 Twin Beech | Model 23 Musketeer / Sundowner | Model 24 Sierra | Model 33 Debonair | Model 34 twin quad | Model 35 Bonanza | Model 36 Bonanza | Model 50 Twin Bonanza | Model 55 & 58 Baron | Model 60 Duke | Model 65 Queen Air | Model 76 Duchess | Model 77 Skipper | Model 90 King Air | Model 95 Travel Air | Model 99 | Model 100 King Air | Model 200 & 300 Super King Air | Model 400 Beechjet | Model 1900 | Model 2000 Starship
Military aircraft XA-38 Grizzly | AT-7 Navigator | C-6 Ute | C-12 Huron | C-43 Traveler | C-45 Expeditor | CT-128 Expeditor | CT-134 Musketeer | CT-145 Super King Air | RC-12 Guard Rail | T-1 Jayhawk | T-34 mentor | T-42 Cochise | U-8 Seminole | U-21 Ute