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Subject: Bell YFM-1 Airacuda
Date: 4 Nov 2016 22:54:28 -0700
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_YFM-1_Airacuda
The Bell YFM-1 Airacuda was an American heavy fighter aircraft, developed by the
Bell Aircraft Corporation during the mid-1930s. It was the first military
aircraft produced by Bell. Originally designated the "Bell Model 1," the
Airacuda first flew on 1 September 1937. The Airacuda was marked by bold design
advances and considerable flaws that eventually grounded the aircraft.
The Airacuda was Bell Aircraft's answer for a "bomber destroyer" aircraft.
Although it did see limited production, and one fully operational squadron was
eventually formed, only one prototype and 12 production models were ultimately
built, in three slightly different versions.
The Airacuda was plagued with problems from the start. The lofty performance
estimates were unobtainable as, despite its sleek looks, the Airacuda was heavy
and was slower than most bombers. In the event of interception by enemy
fighters, the Airacuda was not maneuverable enough to dogfight, while the meager
600 lb (270 kg) bombload was of little use in the intended fighter-bomber role.
Even the 37 mm cannons were of less value than predicted. The cannons had a
tendency to fill the gun nacelles with smoke whenever fired and, additionally,
fears persisted as to how the gunners would escape in an emergency, with the
propellers directly behind them. An emergency bailout would have required both
propellers to be feathered, though additional provision was made with the use of
explosive bolts on the propellers to jettison them in the event of a bailout.
Initial flight testing by Lt. Ben Kelsey proved the Airacuda virtually
impossible to control with only one engine, as the aircraft would go into an
immediate spin. Problems with stability in pitch were also encountered, and had
to be corrected by reducing power. Test pilot Erik Shilling described his
experiences in a later book, Destiny: A Flying Tiger's Rendezvous With Fate as:
"Flying the Bell Airacuda was a new experience for me, since it was the first
pusher aircraft I'd ever flown. Its handling characteristics were foreign to
anything I had ever had my hands on. Under power it was unstable in pitch, but
stable with power off. While flying straight and level, if a correction in pitch
was required, a forward push on the control resulted in the airplane wanting to
pitch over even more. Pitch control became a matter of continually jockeying the
controls, however slightly, even when the aircraft was in proper trim. The same
applied if pulling back on the control. It would tend to continue pitching up,
requiring an immediate corrective response. The same happened in a turn with
power off, the Bell became stable in pitch. This was fortunate because during
approach and landing, it was very stable, and a nice flying airplane."
The Airacuda was also saddled with a complex and temperamental electrical system
and was the only aircraft ever built to rely on an independent auxiliary power
unit (APU) to power both engine fuel pumps, as well as all aircraft electrical
systems.[9] Systems usually powered by an aircraft's engines were instead
powered by the single generator. The generator, with its own supercharger, was
located in the belly of the aircraft. In the event of a failure (and they
occurred frequently), the crew was instructed to begin immediate emergency
restart procedures as the aircraft basically shut down. When the APU failed, the
pilot had "NO fuel pressure, NO vacuum, NO hydraulic pressure, NO gear, NO flaps
and NO ENGINES".
Despite these problems, one fully operational Airacuda squadron was eventually
assembled, and operated from 1938 until 1940. Funds were appropriated, but never
released, for the purchase of two groups of Airacudas. Continuing problems gave
the aircraft a reputation as "hangar queens". Near the end of the type's
operational life, the aircraft were flown primarily for photo opportunities and
always accompanied by a chase plane for safety.
Specifications (XFM-1)
General characteristics
Crew: five (pilot, copilot/navigator, radio operator/gunner, two gunners)
Length: 44 ft 10 in (13.67 m)
Wingspan: 69 ft 10 in (21.29 m)
Height: 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
Wing area: 684 sq ft (63.5 m2)
Airfoil: NACA 23018/NACA 23009
Empty weight: 13,376 lb (6,067 kg)
Gross weight: 17,333 lb (7,862 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 21,625 lb (9,809 kg)
Fuel capacity: 400 US gal (1,500 l)
(810 kW) each
Propellers: three-bladed
Performance
Maximum speed: 277 mph (446 km/h; 241 kn)
Cruise speed: 244 mph (212 kn; 393 km/h)
Range: 2,600 mi (2,259 nmi; 4,184 km)
Service ceiling: 30,500 ft (9,296 m)
Rate of climb: 1,480 ft/min (7.5 m/s)
Armament
Guns:
*
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