After Japan's initial successes in the Pacific during World War II, the need for a fighter aircraft capable of operating from austere island sites with minimal infrastructure was regarded as a high priority.
N.2/42 called for a retractable-hull flying-boat fighter, and Blackburn decided to utilise as much of the structure of the Blackburn Firebrand as possible. The fuselage of the aircraft was to be split in two with the lower float-like half extending and retracting hydraulically.
The Napier Sabre engine was to have been in the nose of the upper fuselage half, and armament was to have been carried in the wings. The protracted development due to engine supply difficulties and serious control and stability shortcomings of the Firebrand, led to cancellation of the B.44. Further work on the flying boat fighter concept was carried out by Saunders-Roe, leading to the Saunders-Roe SR.A/1.
SpecificationsEdit
Data from British Experimental Combat Aircraft of World War II: Prototypes, Research Aircraft and Failed Production Designs[1]
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 39 ft 4 in (11.99 m)
Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
Wing area: 381 sq ft (35.4 m2)
Gross weight: 14,000 lb (6,350 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Napier Sabre IV 24-cylinder liquid-cooled H engine, 2,240 hp (1,670 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 360 mph (580 km/h, 310 kn) at 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
Service ceiling: 38,000 ft (12,000 m)
Rate of climb: 2,000 ft/min (10 m/s)
Armament
Guns: 4× 20mm cannon
Bombs: 2× 500 lb (230 kg) bombs
See alsoEdit
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
"Blackburn B20, B40 and B44"". Air-Britain Aeromilitaria. Vol. 33, no. 130. Summer 2007. pp. 65–68. ISSN 0262-8791.
Buttler, Tony (2012). British Experimental Combat Aircraft of World War II: Prototypes, Research Aircraft and Failed Production Designs. Manchester, UK: Hikoki Publications. ISBN978-1902-109244.
Buttler, Tony (2004). British Secret Projects: Fighters & Bombers 1935–1950. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN1-85780-179-2.
Meekcoms, K. J; Morgan, E. B. (1994). The British Aircraft Specification File. Air-Britain Publications. ISBN0-85130-220-3.
Jackson, A. J. (1968). Blackburn Aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam. ISBN0370-000536.
blackburn, british, single, engined, fighter, aircraft, designed, blackburn, aircraft, 1942, notable, rare, example, flying, boat, fighter, featuring, blackburn, unique, retractable, hull, designed, meet, requirements, ministry, specification, role, fighter, f. The Blackburn B 44 was a British single engined fighter aircraft designed by Blackburn Aircraft in 1942 It was notable as a rare example of a flying boat fighter featuring Blackburn s unique retractable hull and designed to meet the requirements of Air Ministry Specification N 2 42 Blackburn B 44Role Fighter flying boatNational origin United KingdomManufacturer Blackburn Aircraft Contents 1 Development 2 Specifications 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 Bibliography 5 External linksDevelopment EditAfter Japan s initial successes in the Pacific during World War II the need for a fighter aircraft capable of operating from austere island sites with minimal infrastructure was regarded as a high priority N 2 42 called for a retractable hull flying boat fighter and Blackburn decided to utilise as much of the structure of the Blackburn Firebrand as possible The fuselage of the aircraft was to be split in two with the lower float like half extending and retracting hydraulically The Napier Sabre engine was to have been in the nose of the upper fuselage half and armament was to have been carried in the wings The protracted development due to engine supply difficulties and serious control and stability shortcomings of the Firebrand led to cancellation of the B 44 Further work on the flying boat fighter concept was carried out by Saunders Roe leading to the Saunders Roe SR A 1 Specifications EditData from British Experimental Combat Aircraft of World War II Prototypes Research Aircraft and Failed Production Designs 1 General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 39 ft 4 in 11 99 m Wingspan 50 ft 0 in 15 24 m Wing area 381 sq ft 35 4 m2 Gross weight 14 000 lb 6 350 kg Powerplant 1 Napier Sabre IV 24 cylinder liquid cooled H engine 2 240 hp 1 670 kW Performance Maximum speed 360 mph 580 km h 310 kn at 25 000 ft 7 600 m Service ceiling 38 000 ft 12 000 m Rate of climb 2 000 ft min 10 m s Armament Guns 4 20mm cannon Bombs 2 500 lb 230 kg bombsSee also EditAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Blackburn B 20Related lists List of flying boats and floatplanesReferences EditNotes Edit Buttler 2012 p 16 Bibliography Edit Blackburn B20 B40 and B44 Air Britain Aeromilitaria Vol 33 no 130 Summer 2007 pp 65 68 ISSN 0262 8791 Buttler Tony 2012 British Experimental Combat Aircraft of World War II Prototypes Research Aircraft and Failed Production Designs Manchester UK Hikoki Publications ISBN 978 1902 109244 Buttler Tony 2004 British Secret Projects Fighters amp Bombers 1935 1950 Hinkley UK Midland Publishing ISBN 1 85780 179 2 Meekcoms K J Morgan E B 1994 The British Aircraft Specification File Air Britain Publications ISBN 0 85130 220 3 Jackson A J 1968 Blackburn Aircraft since 1909 London Putnam ISBN 0370 000536 External links Edithttps web archive org web 20090527153939 http freespace virgin net john dell blackburn b40 htm http www seawings co uk images photogallery misc15 jpeg http www msacomputer com FlyingBoats old Blackburn General Blackburn General html Archived 19 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine https web archive org web 20090609132412 http freespace virgin net john dell blackburn b20 htm Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Blackburn B 44 amp oldid 1129111193, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
