Keystone B-6
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| B-6 | |
|---|---|
 Keystone B-6A of the 1st Bomb Squadron, 9th Bomb Group, Mitchel Field, N.Y. |
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| Type | Light bomber |
| Manufacturer | Keystone |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Corps |
| Number built | 5 Y1B-6 + 39 B-6A |
| Developed from | Keystone B-3 |
The Keystone B-6 was a biplane bomber developed for the United States Army Air Corps.
Contents |
[edit] Design and development
In 1931, the United States Army Air Corps received five working models (Y1B-6s) of the B-6 bomber. The Y1B- designation, as opposed to a YB- designation, indicates funding outside normal fiscal year procurement. Two of these were redesignations of LB-13s; three were re-engined B-3As. The Air Corps placed an order for 39 production models on April 28, 1931, with deliveries between August 1931 and January 1932. At the same time, an order was placed for 25 B-4As, the same aircraft but mounting Pratt & Whitney engines instead of Wright Cyclones. Despite their lower sequence number, the B-4As would be delivered last. These were the last canvas-and-wood biplane bombers ordered by the Air Corps.
The performance of the B-6A varied little from the Martin NBS-1 ordered in 1921. Its successor, the monoplane bomber, had a hard time getting accepted. The Douglas Y1B-7 and Fokker XB-8 were originally designed as high-speed reconnaissance planes.
[edit] Operational history
B-6A together with B-5A were first line bombers of the United States for the period between 1930 and 1934. Later remained in service until the early 1940s serving primarily as observation aircraft.
[edit] Variants
- LB-13
- Seven aircraft ordered but delivered as the Y1B-4 and Y1B-6 with different engine installations.
- Y1B-6
- Two pre-production aircraft and three converted B-3As, as the LB-10 but with two 575hp (429kW) R-1829-1 engines.
- B-6A
- Production version of the Y1B-6, 39 built.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (B-6A)
General characteristics
- Crew: 5
- Length: 48 ft 10 in (14.9 m)
- Wingspan: 74 ft 8 in (22.8 m)
- Height: 15 ft 9 in (4.8 m)
- Wing area: 1,145 ft² (106.4 m²)
- Empty weight: 8,057 lb (3,665 kg)
- Loaded weight: 13,350 lb (6,056 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Wright R-1820-1 radial engines, 575 hp (429 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 120 mph (100 kt, 190 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 103 mph (89 kt, 166 km/h)
- Range: 825 mi (717 kt, 1,330 km)
- Service ceiling 14,100 ft (6,400 m)
- Wing loading: 11.66 lb/ft² (56.92 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.0861 hp/lb (142 W/kg)
Armament
- Guns: 3× .30 in (7.62 mm) Browning machine guns
- Bombs: 2,500 lb (1,100 kg); 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) on short runs
[edit] External links
[edit] See also
Related development
Related lists
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