Stearman XBT-17

XBT-17

National origin: United States
Manufacturer: Stearman Aircraft
First flight: 1940
Number built: 1

The Stearman XBT-17 was a prototype 1940s American two-seat low-wing monoplane primary trainer designed and built by Stearman Aircraft (as the Model X-90). It was evaluated by the United States Army Air Force in 1942 as the XBT-17.

Design and development

The X-90 was a low-wing cantilever monoplane with two-seats in tandem under an enclosed canopy. It had a fixed Conventional landing gear and was powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Lycoming R-680 engine and first flew in 1940. It had wooden wings and a steel tube forward fuselage in order minimise use of aluminium. In 1942 the aircraft was re-engined with a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine and re-designated the Model X-91. The X-91 was evaluated by the United States Army Air Force as the XBT-17 but no more were built.

Variants

Stearman X-90 Prototype basic trainer with a 225 hp (168 kW) Lycoming R-680 engine. Stearman X-91 The X-90 re-engined with a 450 hp (336 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine for USAAF evaluation. Stearman XBT-17 United States Army Air Force designation for the X-91.

Specifications (XBT-17)

Data from

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)
Wingspan: 35 ft 9 in (10.90 m)
Wing area: 200 sq ft (19 m)
Empty weight: 3,080 lb (1,397 kg)
Gross weight: 4,150 lb (1,882 kg)
Powerplant: 1 x— Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 , 450 hp (340 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 190 mph (310 km/h; 170 kn)
Cruise speed: 160 mph (140 kn; 260 km/h)
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Rate of climb: 1,300 ft/min (6.6 m/s)

Bibliography

Andrade, John (1979). U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0 904597 22 9.
Bowers, Peter M. (1989). Boeing Aircraft since 1916 (Third ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.

Stearman XBT-17 Pictures

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia