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The Douglas Y1B-7 was the first monoplane given the B- 'bomber' designation. The monoplane was more pratical and less expensive than the biplane, and the United States Army Air Corps chose to experiment with monoplanes for this reason. At the time the XB-7 was ordered, it was being tested by Douglas Aircraft as an observational plane, the O-36.
The prototype XB-7 was a Light bomber, carrying only 1,200 pounds of bombs. The skin of the fuselage was corrugated for ease of production. The gull wing was braced externally to increase strength. While this brace also increased drag, the XB-7 was still faster than any of its biplane predecessors.
The crew complement consisted four: a pilot and a copilot; in addition, two gunners (one in the nose and one at the tail).
The service-test version, called the Y1B-7, the engine power was improved by 75hp (56kW), and the engines fitted with tri-blade propellers. The corrugated skin was replaced with a smooth skin, reducing drag. These features increased the top speed over the XB-7 by 13mph (21km/h). The Y1- designation indicates a test model whose funding was outside normal fiscal year procurement.
Despite positive evaluation, the Y1B-7 was never entered into mass production, mainly because of its small bomb load. Also, better aircraft, such as the Martin B-10 were on their way.
Specifications (Y1B-7)
General Characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Length: 45 ft 7 in (13.9 m)
- Wingspan: 65 ft 3 in (19.9 m)
- Height: 12 ft 1 in (3.7 m)
- Wing area: ft² ( m²)
- Empty: lb ( kg)
- Loaded: 11,177 lb (5,070 kg)
- Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Curtiss V-1570-27 'Conquerors' of 675 hp (504 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 182 mph (193 km/h)
- Combat Range: 600 miles (1,000 km)
- Ferry Range: 400 miles (600 km)
- Service ceiling: 20,400 ft (6,220 m)
- Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
- Power/Mass: 0.121 hp/lb (0.199 kW/kg)
Armament
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Related Content
Comparable aircraft:
Fokker XB-8
Designation sequence:
B-4 -
B-5 -
B-6 -
Y1B-7 -
XB-8 -
Y1B-9 -
B-10
Related Lists:
List of military aircraft of the United States -
List of bomber aircraft
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