Consolidated Fleetster

Fleetster

Picture - The U.S. Navy XBY-1 in 1932

Role: Light transport
Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft Corporation
First flight: 27 October 1929
Number built: 26

The Consolidated Model 17 Fleetster was a 1920s American light transport monoplane aircraft built by the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation.

Development

Designed to meet a requirement of the New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line (NYRBA) for an aircraft to serve the coastal routes in South America. Consolidated designed the Model 17 Fleetster. The Fleestster had a streamlined all-metal monocoque fuselage with a wooden wing. The powerplant was a 575 hp (429 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B radial engine. It was available as a landplane or seaplane and could accommodate up to eight passengers, although the three NYRBA aircraft were fitted with two full-width seats each for three passengers.

A parasol-wing version (the Model 20 Fleetster) was also developed with the wing supported by four short struts. The open cockpit was moved to behind the passenger cabin and the space used as a cargo compartment. Three aircraft were built for NYRBA and a private Canadian customer.

In 1932 a carrier-borne dive bomber version (Model 18) was evaluated by the United States Navy as the XBY-1, it was not ordered but was the first stressed-skin aircraft, and the first aircraft with integral fuel tanks in the wings operated by the Navy.

Variants

Model 17-1
Pratt andWhitney R-1860 Hornet B powered production variant for the NYRBA
Model 17AF
Nine-passenger version powered by a 575hp (429kW) Wright R-1820E Cyclone radial engine, three built for Luddington Airline. The wing had an increased span and area to give an increased maximum take-off weight.
Model 17-2AC
One aircraft powered by a 575hp (429kW) Wright R-1820E Cyclone radial engine.
Model 18
Two-seat carrier based bomber for US Navy with revised wing (50 ft (15.24 m) span) featuring a integral fuel tank. Fitted with an internal bomn-bay capable of carrying a 1,000 lb (450 kg) bomb and powered by 600 lb (448 kW) R-1820-78 engine. One built, evaluated as XBY-1 (BuNo 8921).
Model 20-1
Parasol-wing version of the Model 17 for the NYRBA, 4 built.
Model 20-A
Production version for the Transcontinental and Western Air was a quick-change variant for passenger or cargo work, seven built.
C-11
One Model 17 bought for use of the United States Assistant Secretary of War, later modified to Model 17-2 standards and re-designated C-11A.
C-22
Refined version of the Model 17 for the United States Army Air Corps, three built.

Operators

Spain

Spanish Republican Air Force - Model 20-A

Specifications (Model 17)

Data from General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors

General characteristics

Crew: one
Capacity: eight passengers
Length: 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m)
Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m)
Height: 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)
Wing area: 313.5 ft² (29.12 m²)
Empty weight: 3,326 lb (1,512 kg)
Gross weight: 5,600 lb (2,545 kg)
Powerplant: 1 x— Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B radial piston, 575 hp (429 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 180 mph (290 km/h)
Cruise speed: 153 mph (246 km/h)
Range: 675 miles (1086 km)
Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5485 m)

Andrade, John. U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0 904597 22 9 (Page 171)
Wegg, John. General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors. London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-833-X.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing

Consolidated Fleetster Pictures

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia