| The XF3B-1 (Model 74) was built by Boeing as a private
venture and externally resembled closely the F2B-1, but
had provision for a single central float with outboard
stabilising floats. Powered by a 425hp Pratt & Whitney
R-1340 Wasp, it was flown for the first time on 2 March
1927 as a float seaplane. Showing no significant
advance over the F2B-1, the XF3B-1 was returned to
Boeing by the US Navy and completely rebuilt (as the
Model 77), a redesigned undercarriage, wing and tail
being introduced. In this new form the fighter proved
successful and was the basis of an order from the US
Navy for 73 production examples as F3B-1s. The F3B-1
was of mixed construction with wooden wings, a steel-tube
fuselage and fabric skinning, but the ailerons and
tail surfaces were of semi-monocoque all-metal construction
with corrugated covering. Armament comprised
two synchronised 7.62mm machine
guns and provision was made for five 11kg
bombs to be carried. The first flight of the rebuilt
XF3B-1 took place on 3 February 1928, and the first production
F3B-1, powered by an R-1340-B Wasp, was delivered
to the US Navy on 23 November 1928.
 | A three-view drawing (1280 x 940) |
WEIGHTS |
Take-off weight | 1336 kg | 2945 lb |
Empty weight | 988 kg | 2178 lb |
DIMENSIONS |
Wingspan | 10.06 m | 33 ft 0 in |
Length | 7.56 m | 25 ft 10 in |
Height | 2.79 m | 9 ft 2 in |
Wing area | 25.55 m2 | 275.02 sq ft |
PERFORMANCE |
Max. speed | 253 km/h | 157 mph |
Range | 547 km | 340 miles |
William Hertel, e-mail, 16.11.2013 20:48 This was the first operational aircraft of the "Red Rippers" VF-5 now VFA-11 at NAS Oceana, Va. Bch. Va. "Worlds Greatest Fighter Squadron!" reply |
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