The Boeing XF8B (Model 400) was a single-engine aircraft developed by Boeing during World War II to provide the United States Navy with a long-range shipboard fighter aircraft. The XF8B was intended for operation against the Japanese home islands from aircraft carriers outside the range of Japanese land-based aircraft. Designed for various roles including interceptor, long-range escort fighter, dive-bomber, and torpedo bomber, the final design embodied a number of innovative features in order to accomplish the various roles. Despite its formidable capabilities, the XF8B-1 never entered series production.
XF8B
XF8B-1 BuNo 57986 wearing overall Glossy Sea Blue livery, photographed 12 December 1946
XF8B-1 illustrating the contra-rotating propellers
The XF8B-1 was, at the time, the largest and heaviest single-seat, single-engine fighter developed in the United States. Boeing called the XF8B-1 optimistically, the "five-in-one fighter" (fighter, interceptor, dive bomber, torpedo bomber, or level bomber). It was powered by a single 3,000 hp (2,200 kW) Pratt & Whitney XR-4360-10 four-row 28-cylinder radial engine, driving two three-bladed contra-rotatingpropellers. It would be the largest single-seat piston fighter to fly in the U.S. to date.[1] The large wings featured outer sections which could fold vertically, while the fuselage incorporated an internal bomb bay and large fuel tanks; more fuel could be carried externally. The proposed armament included six 0.50 inch (12.7 mm) machine guns or six 20 mm wing-mounted cannons, and a 6,400 lb (2,900 kg) bomb load or two 2,000 lb (900 kg) torpedoes. The final configuration was a large but streamlined design, featuring a bubble canopy, sturdy main undercarriage that folded into the wings, and topped by a variation on the B-29 vertical tail.[citation needed][1]
The contract for three prototypes (BuNos 57984–57986) was awarded 4 May 1943, although only one was completed before the war ended.[1] It first flew in November 1944.[1] The two remaining prototypes were completed after the war, with the third (BuNo 57986) evaluated at Eglin Air Force Base by the United States Army Air Forces.[2]
Operational historyedit
Drop tank arrangement on XF8B-1
To expedite testing and evaluation, a tandem seat was fitted to the first two prototypes to allow a flight engineer to help monitor the test flights. The second seat was easily accommodated in the roomy cockpit.[3]
Although testing of the promising XF8B concept continued into 1946 by the USAAF and 1947 by the US Navy, the end of the war in the Pacific and changing postwar strategy required that Boeing concentrate on building large land-based bombers and transports. The advent of jet fighters led to the cancellation of many wartime piston-engined projects; consequently, since the USAF lost interest in pursuing the project and the U.S. Navy was only prepared to offer a small contract, Boeing chose to wind down the XF8B program. Tests at Boeing Field were marred by an accident in which a test pilot accidentally retracted his landing gear on final approach. Investigation later found this to have been caused by a faulty micro switch. This occurred just as first shift was ending, and as many workers watched from the Plant 2 steps, the XF8B-1 bellied onto the concrete of Boeing Field.[3] As the test program was concluded, the prototypes were scrapped one by one, with 57986 lingering on into 1950.[citation needed]
Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947,[4] Boeing XF8B-1 "Five-in-one" fighter.,[2] Last of the Line: Boeing's XF8B-1 Multi-purpose Fighter[3]
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 43 ft 3 in (13.18 m)
Wingspan: 54 ft (16 m)
Height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
Wing area: 489 sq ft (45.4 m2)
Empty weight: 13,519 lb (6,132 kg)
Gross weight: 20,508 lb (9,302 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 21,691 lb (9,839 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney XR-4360-10 28 cylinder air-cooled piston engine, 3,000 hp (2,200 kW) for take-off; (3,600 hp (2,700 kW) war emergency with water injection)
Propellers: 3-bladed 2x Aeroprop, 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) diameter contra-rotating co-axial propellers
Performance
Maximum speed: 450 mph (720 km/h, 390 kn) + (with war emergency power and water injection)
^ abcdDonald, David (1997). The encyclopedia of world aircraft (Updated ed.). Leicester: Blitz Editions. p. 159. ISBN1-85605-375-X.
^ abKoehnen, Rick (2005). Boeing XF8B-1 "Five-in-one" fighter. Simi Valley [Calif.]: Steve Ginter. p. 41. ISBN0-942612-65-5.
^ abcAllen, Francis (Autumn 1994). "Last of the Line: Boeing's XF8B-1 Multi-purpose Fighter". Air Enthusiast (55): 27.
^Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1947). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1947. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. p. 188c.
Further readingedit
Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (1976). US Navy and Marine Corps fighters. London: Macdonald and Jane's. p. 4. ISBN0-356-08222-9.
Koehnen, Richard C (July 1975). "XF8B-1... Last of the Breed: Boeing's Five-in-One Fighter". Airpower. 5 (4).
Pedigree of Champions: Boeing Since 1916 (Third ed.). Seattle, WA: The Boeing Company. 1969.
Zichek, Jared A. (2007). The Boeing XF8B-1 Fighter: Last of the Line. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN978-0-7643-2587-8.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boeing XF8B.
Boeing XF8B-1
XF8B-1 Fighter-Bomber
Pilot's Manual (for the) Boeing XF8B-1 Navy Fighter
Preliminary Pilot's Manual for Model Boeing XF8B-1 Navy Fighter
April 10, 2024
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The Boeing XF8B Model 400 was a single engine aircraft developed by Boeing during World War II to provide the United States Navy with a long range shipboard fighter aircraft The XF8B was intended for operation against the Japanese home islands from aircraft carriers outside the range of Japanese land based aircraft Designed for various roles including interceptor long range escort fighter dive bomber and torpedo bomber the final design embodied a number of innovative features in order to accomplish the various roles Despite its formidable capabilities the XF8B 1 never entered series production XF8BXF8B 1 BuNo 57986 wearing overall Glossy Sea Blue livery photographed 12 December 1946Role FighterManufacturer BoeingFirst flight 27 November 1944Status CanceledPrimary users United States NavyUnited States Army Air ForcesNumber built 3 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Operators 4 Specifications Boeing XF8B 1 5 See also 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksDesign and development edit nbsp XF8B 1 illustrating the contra rotating propellersThe XF8B 1 was at the time the largest and heaviest single seat single engine fighter developed in the United States Boeing called the XF8B 1 optimistically the five in one fighter fighter interceptor dive bomber torpedo bomber or level bomber It was powered by a single 3 000 hp 2 200 kW Pratt amp Whitney XR 4360 10 four row 28 cylinder radial engine driving two three bladed contra rotating propellers It would be the largest single seat piston fighter to fly in the U S to date 1 The large wings featured outer sections which could fold vertically while the fuselage incorporated an internal bomb bay and large fuel tanks more fuel could be carried externally The proposed armament included six 0 50 inch 12 7 mm machine guns or six 20 mm wing mounted cannons and a 6 400 lb 2 900 kg bomb load or two 2 000 lb 900 kg torpedoes The final configuration was a large but streamlined design featuring a bubble canopy sturdy main undercarriage that folded into the wings and topped by a variation on the B 29 vertical tail citation needed 1 The contract for three prototypes BuNos 57984 57986 was awarded 4 May 1943 although only one was completed before the war ended 1 It first flew in November 1944 1 The two remaining prototypes were completed after the war with the third BuNo 57986 evaluated at Eglin Air Force Base by the United States Army Air Forces 2 Operational history edit nbsp Drop tank arrangement on XF8B 1To expedite testing and evaluation a tandem seat was fitted to the first two prototypes to allow a flight engineer to help monitor the test flights The second seat was easily accommodated in the roomy cockpit 3 Although testing of the promising XF8B concept continued into 1946 by the USAAF and 1947 by the US Navy the end of the war in the Pacific and changing postwar strategy required that Boeing concentrate on building large land based bombers and transports The advent of jet fighters led to the cancellation of many wartime piston engined projects consequently since the USAF lost interest in pursuing the project and the U S Navy was only prepared to offer a small contract Boeing chose to wind down the XF8B program Tests at Boeing Field were marred by an accident in which a test pilot accidentally retracted his landing gear on final approach Investigation later found this to have been caused by a faulty micro switch This occurred just as first shift was ending and as many workers watched from the Plant 2 steps the XF8B 1 bellied onto the concrete of Boeing Field 3 As the test program was concluded the prototypes were scrapped one by one with 57986 lingering on into 1950 citation needed Operators edit nbsp United StatesUnited States Army Air Forces United States NavySpecifications Boeing XF8B 1 edit nbsp 3 view line drawing of the Boeing XF8B 1Data from Jane s all the World s Aircraft 1947 4 Boeing XF8B 1 Five in one fighter 2 Last of the Line Boeing s XF8B 1 Multi purpose Fighter 3 General characteristicsCrew 1 Length 43 ft 3 in 13 18 m Wingspan 54 ft 16 m Height 16 ft 3 in 4 95 m Wing area 489 sq ft 45 4 m2 Empty weight 13 519 lb 6 132 kg Gross weight 20 508 lb 9 302 kg Max takeoff weight 21 691 lb 9 839 kg Powerplant 1 Pratt amp Whitney XR 4360 10 28 cylinder air cooled piston engine 3 000 hp 2 200 kW for take off 3 600 hp 2 700 kW war emergency with water injection Propellers 3 bladed 2x Aeroprop 13 ft 6 in 4 11 m diameter contra rotating co axial propellersPerformance Maximum speed 450 mph 720 km h 390 kn with war emergency power and water injection Cruise speed 190 mph 310 km h 170 kn Range 2 800 mi 4 500 km 2 400 nmi Service ceiling 37 500 ft 11 400 m Rate of climb 2 000 ft min 10 m s Power mass 0 15 hp lb 0 240 kW kg Armament Guns 6x 20 mm 0 787 in cannon or 6x 0 5 in 12 7 mm machine guns Rockets provision for rockets under the outer wings Bombs 6 400 lb 2 900 kg bombs or 2x 2 000 lb 910 kg torpedoesSee also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era Blackburn Firebrand Curtiss XBTC Goodyear F2G Corsair Westland WyvernRelated lists List of aircraft of World War II List of fighter aircraft List of aircraft of the U S military World War IIReferences edit a b c d Donald David 1997 The encyclopedia of world aircraft Updated ed Leicester Blitz Editions p 159 ISBN 1 85605 375 X a b Koehnen Rick 2005 Boeing XF8B 1 Five in one fighter Simi Valley Calif Steve Ginter p 41 ISBN 0 942612 65 5 a b c Allen Francis Autumn 1994 Last of the Line Boeing s XF8B 1 Multi purpose Fighter Air Enthusiast 55 27 Bridgman Leonard ed 1947 Jane s all the World s Aircraft 1947 London Sampson Low Marston amp Co p 188c Further reading editGreen William Swanborough Gordon 1976 US Navy and Marine Corps fighters London Macdonald and Jane s p 4 ISBN 0 356 08222 9 Koehnen Richard C July 1975 XF8B 1 Last of the Breed Boeing s Five in One Fighter Airpower 5 4 Pedigree of Champions Boeing Since 1916 Third ed Seattle WA The Boeing Company 1969 Zichek Jared A 2007 The Boeing XF8B 1 Fighter Last of the Line Atglen PA Schiffer Publishing ISBN 978 0 7643 2587 8 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Boeing XF8B Boeing XF8B 1 XF8B 1 Fighter Bomber Pilot s Manual for the Boeing XF8B 1 Navy Fighter Preliminary Pilot s Manual for Model Boeing XF8B 1 Navy Fighter Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Boeing XF8B amp oldid 1201358067, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
