Boeing XB-39 Superfortress
Template:Infobox Aircraft The Boeing XB-39 Superfortress was a prototype bomber aircraft, a single example of the B-29 Superfortress converted to fly with alternative powerplants. It was intended to demonstrate that the B-29 could still be put into service even if the first choice of engine, the Wright R-3350, ran into development or production difficulties.
Starting life as the first YB-29 delivered to the United States Army Air Forces, it was modified by General Motors to use Allison V-3420-17 liquid-cooled inline engines. Testing on it began in early 1944. Since no very serious problems with the R-3350 developed, and most flaws of the B-29 were worked out by the time production began, the XB-39 was never ordered.
Specifications (XB-39)
General characteristics
- Crew: 10: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, bombardier, navigator, radio operator, side gunners (two), top gunner, and tail gunner
Performance
Armament
- Guns:
- 8× .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning M2 machine guns in remote controlled turrets
- 2× .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in manual turrets
- 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M2 cannon in tail
- Bombs: 20,000 lb (9,000 kg)
References and external links
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