Bell YFM-1 Airacuda
1937
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Bell YFM-1 Airacuda

Embodying many innovatory features and designed by Robert J Woods, the FM-1 Airacuda was a five-seat long-range bomber destroyer. Powered by two engines mounted as pushers, the Airacuda accommodated two gunners in forward extensions of the engine nacelles, these crew members being provided with wing crawlways enabling them to gain the fuselage in the event that it proved necessary to evacuate the nacelle gun positions. The prototype, the XFM-1 powered by two 1150hp Allison V-1710-13 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engines driving three-blade propellers via 1.62m extension shafts, was flown on 1 September 1937. Twelve evaluation models were subsequently ordered, nine as YFM-1s and three as YFM-1As which differed in having tricycle undercarriages. Power was provided by 1,150hp Allison V-1710-23s, but three YFM-!s were completed with V-1710-41s of 1,090hp as YFM-1Bs. The 12 YFMs were delivered to the USAAC between February and October 1940, and their armament comprised one 37mm T-9 cannon with 110 rounds in each engine nacelle, one 7.62mm M-2 machine gun with 500 rounds in each of the retractable dorsal turret and ventral tunnel positions, and one 12.7mm M-2 gun firing from each of the port and starboard beam positions. Twenty 13.6kg bombs could be accommodated internally.

3-View 
Bell YFM-1 AiracudaA three-view drawing (1160 x 818)


Specification 
 MODELYFM-1B
 CREW5
 WEIGHTS
    Take-off weight8618 kg19000 lb
 DIMENSIONS
    Wingspan21.33 m69 ft 12 in
    Length14.00 m45 ft 11 in
    Height3.78 m12 ft 5 in
    Wing area55.74 m2599.98 sq ft
 PERFORMANCE
    Max. speed431 km/h268 mph
    Range2687 km1670 miles

Bell YFM-1 Airacuda


Maguire, 10.06.2008
I think they weren't accepted due to their slow speed and poor maneuverability. other fighters would have been able to blow it out of the sky and it would barely be able to keep up with others.
Capt. Alan G. Edwards, edwardsfly(@)rockisland.com, 06.05.2008
I am 80% of the way in building 1 plastic model of all 275 WW2 aircraft built by 17 separate countries. At this stage all the more common kits are finished (185). Finding the rare birds such as the Airacuda is proving difficult but the XFM-1 would be most interesting. Been shopping and digging all over the world--the Czechs offer many limited run kits some of which are buildable but you takes a chance. Mach II from France has a PBM-2 Coronado but they have a lousy rep and inflated prices although I built their Martin Mariner sucessfully--was told at an IPMS contest that I should get an award for just getting it together!!
Kikis kyriakides, yiokis(@)cytanet.com.cy, 13.03.2008
So, if the difference between YFM-1 and YFM-1B was only the different power rating of the engines why did model maker VALOM decided to produce both versions? Were there any external differences at all?? It is a REALLY cool looking aircraft though!!!
Larry Pastor, Navy8(@)Bellsouth.net, 04.03.2008
I built a scale R/C a few years ago (twin O.S. Max 15's) and it was almost impossible to control - bad elevator response and horrendous landings. But, good luck Leslie if you try it..Recommend modified wing area to increase lift and heavy tri-landing gear.
Jim Geanuleas, sgean001(@)yahoo.com, 07.01.2008
I have a question. Why were they never accepted, and where did they end up. They sure looked neat. I plain to build this VLOM kit.
Leslie H. Howell, lhowell(@)howellconsulting.com, 09.12.2007
Yes, I am considdering building this aircraft as a R/C Model and am currently looking for good 3-view drawings. It would be nice to have section cuts of the aircraft and I will probably find them someplace. If I can find enough information on the aircraft I will design and build at least one of them.
kurt zigler, undertakerzig(@)aol.com, 29.09.2007
My father always thought this was a cool plane. I have to agree.be nice to see pictures from inside,ect. I was stationed at tustin/el-toro[84-87],i think this is where they were tested.

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FACTS AND FIGURES

© The highly complicated electrical system required a full-time auxiliary petrol motor running inside the fuselage to keep it energized. If it failed (and it did) the pilot lost flaps, gear, fuel pumps and engines.

© The crew in the nacelles were more loaders than gunners. Although they could fire the 27mm cannon, this was normally done by the fire-control officer in the fuselage.

© A periscope under the nose gave the fire-control officer a view behind and below to search for enemy fighters.



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