Burnelli UB-14

UB-14
Role	Civil transport
Manufacturer	Burnelli
Designer	Vincent Burnelli
First flight	1934
Number built	3
Developed into	Burnelli CBY-3

The Burnelli UB-14 was a 1930s American prototype lifting-fuselage airliner designed and built by Vincent Burnelli.

Design and development

Following on from his earlier designs Vincent Burnelli designed a commercial transport version using the lifting-fuselage concept. Burnelli's designs were based on the idea that an aerofoil-section fuselage would contribute to the lift generated. The Burnelli UB-14 first flew in 1934, the aerofoil-section fuselage was the centre-section of the wing. The aircraft had twin tailbooms and a widespan tailplane and elevator fitted with twin fins and rudders. The UB-14 had a retractable landing gear and was powered by two Pratt & Whitney radial engines. An enclosed cockpit for the crew of two was located on the centre wing's upper surface. The cabin held 14 to 18 passengers.

Operational history

The first prototype, UB-14, was destroyed in a 1935 accident attributed to faulty maintenance on the aileron control system. Burnelli then designed and built an improved version, the UB-14B. A modified version of the UB-14B design was built under licence in the United Kingdom by Cunliffe-Owen Aircraft powered by two Bristol Perseus XIVC radials. as the Cunliffe-Owen OA-1

Variants

• UB-14 Prototype, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Built by Burnelli Company. Destroyed 13 January 1935, without injury to those aboard.
• UB-14B Second prototype with modifications. Built by Burnelli Company.
• UB-14B Third prototype, modified from second unit. Built by Cunliffe Owen Aircraft in United Kingdom.

Specifications (UB-14B)

General characteristics

• Crew: Two
• Capacity: 14-18 passengers
• Length: 44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
• Wingspan: 71 ft 0 in (21.64 m)
• Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)
• Wing area: 686 ft² (63.73 m²)
• Empty weight: 9,200 lb (4173 kg)
• Gross weight: 17,500 lb (7938 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney Hornet radial piston engines, 750 hp (560 kW) each each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 210 mph (383 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 205 mph (330 km/h)
• Range: 1240 miles (1996 km)
• Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6705 m)

See also

Related development

• Burnelli CBY-3
  

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Kalinin K-7
  

References

Notes

Bibliography

• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. 

External links

• Photographs of the Burnelli UB-14