Stearman XA-21
| Stearman XA-21 | |
|---|---|
 Stearman X100 with a streamlined cockpit |
|
| Type: | bomber |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
1938 |
| Number of pieces: |
1 |
The Stearman Model XA-21 was a twin-engine aircraft produced by the Stearman Aircraft Corporation . She was one of the candidates for a tender of the United States Army Air Corps for a twin-engine light bomber, which (after further development) led to the A-20 Havoc , A-22 Maryland and B-25 Mitchell . The original name at Stearman was X100 .
development
The Army Air Corps bought the prototype, a twin-engine, all-metal shoulder -wing monoplane and named it the XA-21. The prototype had an unconventional cockpit layout with a large streamlined glass canopy that enclosed the pilot and the bombardier. However, the view of the pilot, who was sitting behind the bombardier, was found to be poor. The aircraft was then rebuilt and more conventional, stepped glazing was chosen. However, this did not have a great effect on the performance of the aircraft. The XA-21 therefore never went into series production.
The only built XA-21 had the serial number 40-191 .
operator
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data (XA-21) |
|---|---|
| crew | 3 |
| length | 16.18 m |
| span | 19.81 m |
| height | 4.32 m |
| Wing area | 56.39 m² |
| Empty mass | 5789 kg |
| payload | 2520 kg |
| Takeoff mass | 8269 kg |
| Wing loading | 147 kg / m² |
| Power / mass ratio | 250 W / kg |
| Engine | two Pratt & Whitney R-2180 -7 with 1,030 kW (1,400 PS) |
| Top speed | 414 km / h |
| Cruising speed | 322 km / h |
| Armament | four 7.62 mm MG Browning M1919 in the wings one 7.62 mm MG in the bow four 7.62 mm MG with 1200 kg bomb payload |
literature
- Peter Bowers : Boeing Aircraft since 1916 . 2nd Edition. Putnam, London 1989, ISBN 0-85177-804-6 .
