UNITED STATES MILITARY AIRCRAFT by Jos Heyman

Navy

B

Last update: 1 July 2016

B = Bee Line (1922)

RB Bee Line Specifications: span: 28’1”, 8.56 m length: 21’5”, 6.53 m engines: 1 Wright H-3 max. speed: 188 mph, 302 km/h

(Source: nasaimages.org)

Bee Line, also known as Aerial Engineering Corp. built two aircraft to be used by the US Navy in the 1922 Pulitzer Race. The first aircraft, with designation BR-1, had serial A-6429, whilst the second aircraft, designated as BR-2 had serial A-6430.

B = Beechcraft (1937-1945)

GB Beechcraft D17R Traveller Specifications: span: 32', 9.75 m length: 26'2", 7.98 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-985-48 max. speed: 199 mph, 320 km/h

(Source: John Lawler, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #9708)

In 1939 ten aircraft were procured as GB-1 with serials 1589/1595 and 1898/1900. A further eight civilian aircraft were later impressed as GB-1 with serials 09766 (ex NC240Y), 09768 (ex NC21933), 09772 (ex NC21917), 09776 (ex NC17081), 09777 (ex NC18563), 09778 (ex NC18566), 09780 (ex NC18581) and 09800 (ex NC 20770). The GB-2 version had a R-985-50 engine and 271 were built with serials 01624/01646, 12330/12353, 23657/23756, 32867/32915 and 32992/33066. Batches with serials 32916/32936 and 85391/85458 were cancelled. A number of these aircraft were transferred to the USAAF, Royal Navy and Brazil. In addition three civilian aircraft were impressed as GB-2 with serials 09765 (ex NC20755), 09773 (ex NC21920) and 09774 (ex NC20779). There was a complicated flow of aircraft between the US Navy and USAAF and back, and some aircraft carried two serials whereas some serials were used for two different aircraft. Refer also to C-43, JB

JB Beechcraft C17R Traveller Specifications: span: 32', 9.75 m length: 24'5", 7.44 m engines: 1 Wright R-975-11 max. speed: 202 mph, 325 km/h

(Source: William T. Larkins)

In 1937 a single example of this 5 seat light transport aircraft was procured as JB-1 with serial 0801. Refer also to C-43, GB

JRB Beechcraft 18S Expeditor Specifications: span: 47'8", 14.53 m length: 34'3", 10.44 m engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-985-50 max. speed: 225 mph, 362 km/h

(Source: William T. Larkins)

The Expeditor was a twin engined transport aircraft which flew for the first time on 15 January 1937. The US Navy ordered eleven in 1940 as JRB-1 for use as photo survey aircraft. They received serials 2543/2547, 4709/4710 and 4726/4729. In addition a civilian aircraft was impressed with serial 09771 (ex NC1040). The JRB-2 designation was a transport version with seating for six passengers. Fifteen were purchased in 1941 with serials 4711/4725 whilst another five were transferred from the USAAF with serials 76740/76742 and 90522/90523. The JRB-3 designation comprised 20 photo survey aircraft transferred from the USAAF with serials 39281, 51180, 76743/76759, 84032, 86294 and 87752 as well as 29 converted from USAAF AT-7, AT-11 or C-45 versions with serials 89466/89494. They were fitted with R-985-AN-1 engines. The JRB-4 version had a length of 34'8", 10.57 m and was fitted with R-985-AN-1 engines. In total 329 were transferred from the USAAF to the US Navy with serials 44315, 44555/44684, 48246/48251, 51107, 66395/66471, 76760/76779, 85096/85135, 86293, 86295/86296, 87753, 90532/90581 and 134004. A number of SNB-2s and SNB-2Cs were converted to JRB-4, including serials 23770, 23794, 23804, 29552, 29606, 29609, 29611, 39274, 51098, 51107, 51300, 51302, 51346, 67178, 67215, 67226, 76766, 89488 and 89494. Transfer of aircraft with serials 44685/44704, 53950/54049 and 66472/66594 was cancelled. Many of these aircraft were later rebuilt as SNB-5. Aircraft with serials 29651, 29606, 29609 and 29611 were also operated as JRB-4H. The JRB-5 was a transport version of the SNB-5 which was never built. It had a length of 34'2', 10.41 m and had R-985-AN-3 engines. However, a number of aircraft with serials 12356, 39203, 39231, 39235, 39262, 39278, 39282, 51225, 51227, 67120 and 67128 were oerated as JRB-5. In 1951 a number of SNB-1s, JRB-3s and JRB-4s were brought up to C-45G standard and were redesignated as JRB-6. Serials included 39255, 39771, 39795, 39796, 39798, 39817, 39823, 39845, 39952, 39957, 39979, 39995, 39997, 67257, 67276, 67282, 67283, 67284, 67286, 67328, 67332, 67333, 67334, 67335, 67336, 67338, 67339, 67340, 67343, 67348, 67350, 67352, 67357, 67358, 67360, 67366, 67374, 67376, 67379, 67380 and 67381. Refer also to AT-7, AT-11, C-45, CQ-3, R-2, SNB

SNB Beechcraft 18S Navigator Specifications: span: 47'8", 14.53 m length: 34'3", 10.44 m engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-3 max. speed: 209 mph, 335 km/h

(Source: John Voss, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #7777)

The SNB Navigator was a training version of the Beechcraft identical to the AT-7 and AT-11. The SNB-1 was similar to the AT-11 and 320 were built for the US Navy with serials 39749/39998 and 51023/51094. Most of these were originally ordered by the USAAF. At least one, 39767, was converted as SNB-1P. The SNB-2 was a version with R-985-25 engines and was similar to the AT-7. 509 were built for the US Navy from 1942 onwards with serials 03553/03562, 12354/12389, 39192/39291, 51200/51293, 67100/67129 and 67155/67384. Batches with serials 03563/03742 and 67130/67154 were cancelled. The SNB-2C version was similar to the AT-7C and 376 were built with serials 23757/23856, 29551/29664, 51095/51199, 51294/51349 whilst a batch with serials 29665/29668 was cancelled. Conversions included aircraft 67161. A number of SNB-2s were converted as ambulances with designation SNB-2H, whilst other SNB-2s (including 03554, 03555, 39258 and 67205) were converted as SNB-2P photo reconnaissance aircraft. The designation SNB-2HP has been lined to aircrfft 29552. The SNB-3 designation referred to converted SNB-2s and SNB-2C, including serials 23761, 23762, 23763, 23766, 23770, 23783, 23786, 23793, 23794, 23795, 23800, 23802, 23804, 23813, 23815, 23816, 23818, 23820, 23823, 23829, 23835, 23836, 23839, 23843, 23845, 23846, 29553, 29556, 29558, 29566, 29570, 29572, 29579, 29584, 29585, 29586, 29613, 29617, 29619, 29620, 29621, 29629, 29636, 29637, 29639, 29641, 29642, 29644, 29645, 29648, 29659, 29661, 51098, 51100, 51107, 51137, 51138, 51146, 51149, 51162, 51171, 51181, 51185, 51192, 51197, 51199, 51295, 51300, 51302, 51317, 51329, 51342, 51346, 51349, 67107, 67108, 67111, 67114, 67127, 67162, 67164, 67166, 67167, 67184, 67187, 67207, 67208, 67209, 67212, 67214, 67216, 67219, 67222, 67227, 67230, 67232, 67233, 67234, 67235 and 89469. A number of aircraft were converted as SNB-3E with serials 23760, 23774, 23789, 23791, 23801, 23806, 23824, 23833, 23834, 23851, 29602, 29618, 29623, 29626, 29661, 51101, 51104, 51116, 51117, 51119, 51120, 51122, 51132, 51135, 51141, 51144, 51151, 51161, 51163, 51166, 51167, 51168, 51169, 51170, 51303, 51308, 51312, 51318, 51333, 67163, 67168, 67177, 67179, 67217 and 67218 whilst SNB-3N was applied to aircraft 29626, 29657, 29662, 29664, 51112, 51121, 51124, 51125, 67210 and 67220. The SNB-3P designation was used for converted aircaft with serials 29583, 29590, 29591, 29592, 29646, 51105, 51338 and 51339 whilst the designation SNB-3Q was used for converted aircraft with serials 23823, 51158, 51161, 51163, 51166, 51167, 51168, 51169 and 51170. The designation SNB-4 was not assigned, although some reference sources state that this designation was assigned to a number of remanufactured aircraft with serials 51180, 67118, 67243, 67244, 67245, 67246, 67247, 67249, 67250, 67251, 67252, 67253, 67254, 67255, 67256, 67258, 67259, 67260, 67261, 67262, 67263, 67264, 67265, 67266, 67267, 67268, 67269, 67270, 67271, 67272, 67273, 67274, 67275, 67277, 67278, 67279, 67280, 67281, 67285, 67287, 67288, 67289, 67311, 67312, 67313, 67314, 67316, 67317, 67319, 67320, 67321, 67323, 67324, 67325, 67326, 67329, 67337, 67344, 67346, 67347, 67354, 67361, 67363, 67365, 67367, 67369, 67371 and 67384. The SNB-5 designation was assigned to a number of SNB-1s, SNB-2s, SNB-2Cs, JRB-3s and JRB-4s remanufactured to C-45G standards which had R-985-AN-3 engines. Some aircraft received new serials 89466/89494, 134692/134717, 140987/140992 and 147548 whilst others retained their original serials. The latter included 03554, 03557, 03558, 03561, 04713, 04718, 04719, 04725, 12354, 12356, 12357, 12359, 12360, 12361, 12362, 12363, 12364, 12366,, 12370, 12381, 23760,

23761, 23762, 23763, 23770, 23774, 23783, 23786, 23789, 23791, 23795, 23800, 23802, 23804, 23806, 23815, 23816, 23818, 23819, 23820, 23822, 23823, 23824, 23829, 23833, 23834, 23835, 23836, 23839, 23842, 23843, 23845, 23846, 23851, 29553, 29556, 29558, 29570, 29572, 29579, 29581, 29584, 29590, 29591, 29592, 29595, 29602, 29606, 29609, 29613, 29616, 29617, 29618, 29619, 29620, 29621, 29623, 29626, 29629, 29636, 29637, 29639, 29641, 29642, 29646, 29648, 29651, 29657, 29659, 29661, 29662, 29664, 39195, 39197, 39202, 39203, 39208, 39213, 39216, 39219, 39224, 39226, 39228, 39230, 39233, 39235, 39246, 39247, 39249, 39250, 39255, 39256, 39257, 39258, 39261, 39262, 39265, 39266, 39274, 39275, 39278, 39281, 39282, 39749, 39750, 39759, 39762, 39767, 39768, 39772, 39773, 39777, 39778, 39788, 39795, 39796, 39799, 39801, 39815, 39827, 39829, 39840, 39841, 39842, 39847, 39850, 39851, 39853, 39862, 39863, 39865, 39877, 39881, 39886, 39887, 39889, 39895, 39898, 39899, 39901, 39904, 39906, 39909, 39910, 39920, 39922, 39928, 39931, 39934, 39935, 39938, 39941, 39942, 39945, 39947, 39948, 39951, 39956, 39958, 39961, 39966, 39969, 39977, 39980, 39982, 39983, 39988, 44573, 44576, 44580, 44581, 44588, 44607, 44617, 44655, 44658, 44675, 44677, 48247, 51028, 51031, 51034, 51039, 51041, 51045, 51046, 51047, 51054, 51055, 51056, 51064, 51076, 51078, 51084, 51090, 51098, 51100, 51101, 51104, 51105, 51112, 51116, 51117, 51119, 51120, 51121, 51122, 51124, 51125, 51131, 51132, 51135, 51137, 51138, 51141, 51144, 51146, 51149, 51151, 51158, 51161, 51162, 51163, 51166, 51167, 51168, 51169, 51170, 51171, 51180, 51181, 51183, 51185, 51192, 51197, 51199, 51201, 51207, 51210, 51216, 51219, 51224, 51225, 51226, 51227, 51228, 51229, 51230, 51235, 51236, 51238, 51240, 51241, 51242, 51245, 51253, 51256, 51257, 51262, 51263, 51267, 51268, 51269, 51271, 51273, 51284, 51285, 51287, 51288, 51291, 51295, 51300, 51302, 51303, 51308, 51312, 51315, 51317, 51318, 51329, 51333, 51338, 51339, 51342, 51346, 51349, 66431, 66464, 67103, 67105, 67107, 67108, 67111, 67112, 67114, 67115, 67116, 67117, 67118, 67119, 67120, 67121, 67122, 67123, 67124, 67125, 67126, 67128, 67129, 67158, 67159, 67161, 67162, 67163, 67164, 67166, 67167, 67168, 67169, 67170, 67174, 67175, 67176, 67177, 67179, 67181, 67182, 67183, 67184, 67185, 67187, 67188, 67190, 67191, 67193, 67194, 67197, 67198, 67200, 67201, 67202, 67203, 67204, 67205, 67206, 67207, 67208, 67209, 67210, 67211, 67212, 67213, 67214, 67216, 67218, 67219, 67220, 67221, 67222, 67223, 67224, 67227, 67228, 67233, 67234, 67235, 67236, 67245, 67256, 67261, 67262, 67263, 67265, 67267, 67269, 67274, 67275, 67277, 67278, 67279, 67280, 67285, 67287, 67288, 67292, 67293, 67294, 67296, 67297, 67298, 67300, 67302, 67303, 67305, 67312, 67313, 67314, 67316, 67317, 67319, 67320, 67321, 67322, 67323, 67324, 67325, 67326, 67329, 67337, 67344, 67345, 67346, 67347, 67349, 67355, 67361, 67363, 67382, 67383, 76740, 76741, 76746, 76750, 76752, 76753, 76755, 76756, 76757, 76758, 76762, 76763, 76764, 76765, 76768, 76771, 76773, 76774, 76776, 76777, 89466, 89467, 89468, 89469, 89470, 89471, 89472, 89473, 89474, 89475, 89476, 89477, 89478, 89479, 89480, 89481, 89482, 89483, 89484, 89485, 89486, 89487, 89488, 89489, 89490, 89491, 89492, 89493, 89494, 90533, 90549 and 90558 One aircraft with serial 67281 was designated as SNB-5E. The same modernization process was applied to SNB-2s, SNB-2Cs and JRB-1s which became SNB-5P. Serials included 09771, 12354, 12373, 12375, 12385, 12386, 23789, 23793, 23801, 23813, 29566, 29583, 29585, 29645, 39196, 39214, 39231, 51191, 51218, 51233, 51267, 67127, 67217, 67232 and 67233. On 18 September 1962 those SNB-5s and SNB-5Ps remaining in service were redesignated as TC-45J and RC-45J. Some were further converted at a later date. Refer also to AT-7, AT-11, C-45, CQ-3, R-2, JRB

B = Boeing (1923-1962)

BFB Boeing 236 Specifications: span: 28'6", 8.69 m length: 22'2", 6.76 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1535-44 max. speed: 200 mph, 322 km/h

(Source: NASA)

A development of the F6B fighter, the XF6B-1 was redesignated as XBFB-1 on 21 March 1934. The serial was A-8975. Refer also to F6B

FB Boeing 15 Specifications: span: 32', 9.75 m length: 22'11", 6.99 m engines: 1 Packard 1A-1500 max. speed: 170 mph, 274 km/h

(Source: David Gauthier, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #8978)

The Boeing 15 was a fighter for the Marine Corps similar to the Army’s PW-9. The FB-1, which was fitted with a Curtiss D12 engine, flew for the first time on 2 June 1923. 10 were ordered for the USMC with serials A-6884/6893 whilst at a later date FB-2s A-6894 and A-6895 were converted to this standard. The FB-2 designation was applied to the model 53 of which two were built with serials A-6894/6895. Both these aircraft were later converted to FB-1 standard. Similar to the FB-2, the FB-3 was fitted with twin floats. Known also as model 55, three were built with serials A-6897 and A-7089/7090. Following the destruction of one aircraft during trials in December 1925, the remaining two aircraft were refitted with wheel undercarriages. One example of the model 54 was ordered in 1925 as FB-4 with serial A-6896. It was fitted with a Wright P-1 engine and was later converted to FB-6 standards. The model 67 or FB-5 was a production version of which 27 were built with serials A-7101/7127. The first flight was on 7 October 1926 and the aircraft had a length of 23'9", 7.24m and were fitted with a Packard 2A-1500 engine. A single FB-5 (serial A-7101) was used for development tests in 1927 was redesignated as XFB-5 (model 97) The FB-4 was re-engined with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-A engine and redesignated as FB-6. It crashed in September 1926. The FB-7 designation was reserved for the model 67A, a development of the FB-5 with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-A engine. Development did not take place. Refer also to AT-3, F-4, F-7, PW-9

F2B Boeing 69 Specifications: span: 30'1", 9.17 m length: 22'11", 6.99 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-B max. speed: 158 mph, 254 km/h

(Source: David Gauthier, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #7999)

The Boeing 69 was a single seat aircraft which was also exported to Japan and Brazil. The US Navy ordered one aircraft as XF2B-1 with serial A-7385. It flew for the first time on 3 November 1926. Subsequently a production batch of 32 F2B-1s was ordered in March 1927 and the first of these flew on 30 January 1928. The serials were A-7424/7455. Refer also to F-8, F3B

F3B Boeing 77 Specifications: span: 33', 10.06 m length: 24'10", 7.57 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-80 max. speed: 157 mph, 253 km/h

(Source: David Gauthier, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #8486)

The model 74 was developed by Boeing as a private venture and made its first flight on 2 March 1927. This aircraft, which had provision for a single float, was tested by the Navy and then returned to Boeing for redevelopment into the model 77. It was designated XF3B-1, carried serial A-7674 and flew for the first time in this guise on 3 February 1928. Subsequently 73 F3B-1s were ordered with serials A-7675/7691 and A-7708/7763 whilst the XF3B-1 was also converted to this standard. Refer also to F-8, F2B

F4B Boeing Specifications: span: 30', 9.14 m length: 20'1", 6.12 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-8 max. speed: 176 mph, 283 km/h

(Source: B.C.F. Klein, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #6605)

The models 83 (NX7133) and 89 (NX7134) were built as company demonstrators and flew respectively on 25 June 1928 and 8 July 1928. They were fitted with a R-1340-1 engine and were subsequently obtained by the US Navy with designation XF4B-1 and serials A8128/8129. They were later converted as F4B-1. The F4B-1 was the first production version also known as model 99, of which 27 were built with serials A-8130/8156. The first flight was on 6 May 1929. A single F4B-1 was converted as F4B-1A as a personal transport for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy. It carried serial A-8133. The next production version was the F4B-2 or model 223 of which 46 were built with serials A-8613/8639 and A-8791/8809. The F4B-3 was also known as the model 235 and 21 were ordered on 23 April 1931 with serials A-8891/8911. The F4B-4 version (or model 235) was fitted with a R-1340-16 engine. Ordered on 23 April 1931, 92 were ordered with serials A-8912/8920, A-9009/9053, 9226/9263 whilst 9719 was built separately from spares. In 1940 one P-12C, five P-12Ds, 16 P-12Es and 1 P-12F of the USAAC were transferred to the Navy as F4B-4A and were converted as radio controlled targets. They had a length of 20'3", 6.17m and a R-1340-17 engine. The aircraft involved were 31-151, 31-154, 31-209, 31-210, 31-245, 31-258, 31-561, 31-564, 31-576, 32-010, 32-013, 32-025, 32-033, 32-040, 32-041, 32-044, 32-045, 32-048, 32-056, 32-066, 32-069, 32-071 and 32-085 and they received serials 2489/2511. A cancelled F4B-5 version was also known as Boeing model 261. Refer also to F-12

F5B Boeing 205 Specifications: span: 30'6", 9.30 m length: 21', 6.40 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-D max. speed: 185 mph, 297 km/h

(Source: US Navy)

The Boeing 205 was a single seat fighter based on the P-15 design. One aircraft was ordered by the US Navy as XF5B-1 and with serial A-8640. It flew for the first time in February 1930 and was used for three years for experimental purposes. It was eventually destroyed in March 1936 Refer also to F-15

F6B Boeing 236 Specifications: span: 28'6", 8.69 m length: 22'2", 6.76 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1535-44 max. speed: 200 mph, 322 km/h

(Source: David Gauthier, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #7995/

One aircraft was built as XF6B-1 and with serial A-8975. It flew for the first time on 1 February 1933 and on completion of tests it was redesignated as XBFB-1 on 21 March 1934. Refer also to BFB

F7B Boeing 273 Specifications: span: 31'11", 9.73 m length: 27'7", 8.41 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney SR-1340-30 max. speed: 233 mph, 375 km/h

(Source: US Navy?)

The XF7B-1 was a low wing single seat fighter with a retractable undercarriage. Ordered on 20 March 1933 with serial 9378, the aircraft flew for the first time on 14 September 1933. The project was cancelled in March 1935.

F8B Boeing 400 Specifications: span: 54', 16.46 m length: 43'3", 13.18 m engines: 1 Pratt & Whitney XR-4360-10 max. speed: 340 mph, 547 km/h

(Souce: Boeing)

The XF8B-1 was the prototype of a single seat long range carrier interceptor. Three aircraft were ordered on 4 May 1943 with serials 57984/57986 and the first flight was made on 27 November 1944. No production took place and the aircraft were scrapped in 1950.

HRB Boeing-Vertol 107M Specifications: rdm: 50', 15.24 m length: 44'10", 13.67 m engines: 2 General Electric T58-GE-8 max. speed: 165 mph, 265 km/h

(Source: Boeing-Vertol?)

The HRB-1 was an assault helicopter for the USMC which flew first on 22 April 1958 as a civilian aircraft. 50 were ordered with serials 150265/150278 and 150933/150968 but these were redesignated as CH-46A on 18 September 1962 and before the first flight on 16 October 1962. Production continued under that designation. Refer also to H-46, HC-1

NB Boeing 21 Specifications: span: 36'10", 11.27 m length: 28'9", 8.76 m engines: 1 Wright Hispano E4 max. speed: 100 mph, 161 km/h

(Source: US Navy)

A single prototype of this trainer aircraft was ordered as VNB-1 and with serial A-6749. It was fitted with a Lawrence J1 engine. The first production version was the NB-1 of which 41 were ordered with serials A-6750/6768 and A-6836/6857. They were fitted with Lawrence J1, J2 ad J4 engines as well as Wright J5 engines. The next version was NB-2 of which 30 were built with serials A-6769/6798. The designation NB-3 was assigned to a single NB-1 used for spinning tests with a 16" nose extension and a 26" rear fuselage extension giving it a total length of 32'3", 9.83 m. The serial was A-6856. It was later converted back to NB-1. In a similar fashion the NB-4 was a NB-1 with a 26" nose and rear fuselage extension giving it a length of 33'1", 10.08 m. Carrying serial A-6857 it flew for the first time on 9 July 1925. It was later converted back to NB-1.

N2B Boeing 81 Specifications: span: 35', 10.67 m length: 25'8", 7.82 m engines: 1 Wright R-540 max. speed: 113 mph, 182 km/h

(Source: Boeing)

Developed privately by Boeing, a single example was purchased by the US Navy as XN2B-1 and with serial A-8010 on 21 June 1928. At that time the aircraft had already flown.

OB Boeing 51 Specifications: span: length: engines: max. speed: The OB-1 was an amphibious bi-plane designed by the Bureau of Aeronautics. Two were ordered with Boeing with serials A-6882/6883 but the aircraft were not built.

O2B Boeing Specifications: span: 42'5", 12.93 m length: 30'1", 9.17 m engines: 1 Liberty 12A max. speed: 123 mph, 198 km/h

(Source: US Navy)

Boeing converted 30 ex Army de Havilland DH4.M-1 airframe as O2B-1 for observation duties. The serials were A-6898/6927. Four were later further modified to O2B-2 standard. These had serials A-6924/6927.

PB Boeing 50 Specifications: span: 87'6", 26.67 m length: 59'5", 18.11 m engines: 2 Packard 2A-2500 max. speed: 125 mph, 134 km/h

(Source: Library of Congress)

The PB designation was first used for the Boeing model 50 flying boat which was built in 1925 for a transatlantic flight. It was based on the NAF PN-7. The US Navy had designated the aircraft PB-1 and given it serial A-6881 and it flew for the first time on 31 August 1925. In 1928 the aircraft was re-engined with 2 Pratt & Whitney GR-1690 and redesignated as XPB-2. It was eventually scrapped in 1932. The designation PB was the used again for the US Navy version of the B-17 Flying Fortress. Specifications: span: 103'9", 31.62 m length: 74'9", 22.78 m engines: 4 Wright R-1820-97 max. speed: 313 mph, 504 km/h

(Source: US Navy)

On 31 July 1945 the US Navy ordered a single B-17F from the USAAF production line with the designation PB-1 and the serial 34106. The aircraft was brought up to B-17G standards and used for development purposes. In 1946 a number of B-17Gs were transferred straight from the production line to the Navy as PB-1W. They received serials 34114, 77137/77138, 77225/77244, 77258 and 83992/83999 whilst the transfer of a batch with serials 84000/84027 did not

take place. One PB-1W (83992) was used as an engine testbed and was redesignated as XPB-1W. It has also been suggested in some references that 77241 was also designated as PB-1. A further 167 aircraft with serials 77245/77257, 82855/82857 and 84000 (a different aircraft than the intended PB-1W) were converted to SB-17G standards and used by the USCG as PB-1G. Refer also to B-17, B-38, B-40, BQ-7, C-108, CQ-4, R-9, Q-9

P2B Boeing Superfortress Specifications: span: 141'3", 43.05 m length: 99', 30.18 m engines: 4 Wright R-3350-23 max. speed: 358 mph, 576 km/h

(Source: David Gauthier, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #8979)

The P2B designation was originally intended for the Boeing 209 design which did not proceed. The designation was then used for a number of B-29s transferred from the USAAF. The P2B-1S designation was applied to two aircraft used as radar picket aircraft with extra fuel tanks and a radar installation in the bomb bay. The serials were 84028/84029 and they were originally 45-21789 and 45-21787. They were transferred on 14 April 1947. The latter was later used as the launch aircraft for the Douglas Skyrocket and eventually went to NACA as NACA137. A further two aircraft were transferred as P2B-2S with serials 84030/84031. Refer also to B-29

P3B Boeing 466 Specifications: span: 125', 38.10 m length: 108’11", 33.20 m engines: 2 Allison XT40-A max. speed: 454 mph, 730 km/h

(Source: Boeing?)

Although the project was designated as XP3B-1, no aircraft were actually ordered.

PBB Boeing 344 Searanger Specifications: span: 139'9", 42.60 m length: 94'9", 28.88 m engines: 2 Wright R-3350-8 max. speed: 219 mph, 352 km/h

(Source: David Gauthier, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #7198)

A twin engined flying boat of which one was ordered as XPBB-1 on 29 June 1940. Carrying serial 3144, it flew for the first time on 5 or 9 July 1942. The project was cancelled late in 1942 but was re-instated in 1944 when 57 PBB-1s were ordered with serials 03745/03801. Based on experiences in the Pacific the strategy shifted towards land based bombers and this order was also cancelled. At one stage production by Martin was considered.

PB2B Boeing Canada Catalina Specifications: span: 104', 31.70 m length: 63'10", 19.46 m engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 max. speed: 189 mph, 304 km/h

(Source: Boeing)

A licence version of the Consolidated Catalina, 165 aircraft similar to the PBY-5 were ordered as PB2B-1 with serials 44188/44227 and 72992/73116. The first example flew in May 1943 and most went to the RAF and RNZAF as Catalina IVB. The PB2B-2 had a taller fin and had slightly different dimensions: span: 104'3", 31.76m, length: 64'8", 19.71m and 67 were built with serials 44228/44294 and were supplied to the RAF and RNZAF as Catalina IV. A batch with serials 44295/44312 was cancelled. The PB2B-2s were also referred to as PB2B-2R. Refer also to A-10, PBN, PBV, P3Y, PBY

TB Boeing 63 Specifications: span: 53', 16.15 m length: 40'10", 12.45 m engines: 1 Packard 3A-2500 max. speed: 115 mph, 185 km/h

(Source: David Gauthier, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #7996)

The TB-1 was based on the T3M design developed by the Bureau of Aeronautics as design 35. Three aircraft were ordered in May 1925 with serials A-7024/7026 and the first one flew on 4 May 1927. The four wheel undercarriage of the aircraft could be replaced by floats. The first TB-1 (A-7024) was later redesignated as XTB-1.

B = Budd (1942-1944)

RB Budd Conestoga Specifications: span: 100', 30.48 m length: 68', 20.73 m engines: 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1839-92 max. speed: 165 mph, 265 km/h

(Source: Ron Dupas, via 1000aircraftphotos.com photo #2325)

The Budd Conestoga was a stainless steel transport aircraft. The US Navy ordered 200 examples as RB-1 but this order was eventually cut back to 17. The serials assigned were 39292/39308, whilst the cancelled aircraft were 39309/39491. The first flight took place on 31 October 1943. Some reference sources claim that the 17 aircraft were never accepted by the US Navy. Nine additional aircraft were sold to the Flying Tiger Line, bringing the total production to 26. Refer also to C-93