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Pulp Aircraft A-G

Page history last edited by Michael 3 years, 2 months ago

back to the Index or to the Air Transport page, or Aircraft H-Z

 

     Unless noted, aircraft have fixed (non-retractable) landing gear. Red text indicates fictional, modified, or experimental never-produced aircraft. We've started adding aircraft produced up to the end of 1936 now.

 


 


 

Aeronca C-2 Scout

  • high-wing single-seat monoplane, engine 29 HP Aeronca, cruise 65 mph, maximum speed 80 mph, range 240 miles, span 29', length 20', useful load 274 lbs.. Introduced 1929, cost $1,245 - about the cheapest new airplane anyone can buy. You can spend a couple hundred dollars more to have it mounted on floats as a PC-2; a VERY cramped two-seater is also available. The C-3 Collegian of 1931 is pretty similar, with slightly better performance at $1895: 36 HP engine, 75 mph cruise, 300 mile range, and "true" two-seater fuselage; and again available on floats, as the PC-3. 

ANT-9

  • high-wing monoplane transport; 2 pilots + 8 or 9 passengers, two Mikulin M-17 V-12 engines of 600 HP each; top speed 134 mph, cruise speed 110 mph, ceiling 17,000', range 435 miles; span 78' 10", empty weight 9,700 lbs., maximum weight 14,000 lbs.; used by Deruluft, Aeroflot, and the Turkish State Airlines Administration.

ANT-23/I-12

  • twin-boom fighter plane, pilot only; two Bristol Jupiter radial engines of 525 HP (one pusher, one tractor); top speed 180 mph, range 320 miles, ceiling 20,000'; span 50' 10", length 31', maximum weight 5300 lbs.; armament two DRP/APK 76mm recoilless cannon (5 rounds each) mounted in, or rather forming, the tail booms. The pilot cannot bail out if the pusher propellor, behind him, is turning; a future development is planned with a "catapult" seat to allow pilots to escape. Being developed at the Tupolev OKB, for the Soviet Air Force. 

Armstrong-Whitworth Argosy II

  • biplane transport, 2 pilots + 20 passengers; three uncowled Armstrong Siddely Jaguar IVa engines (of 420 HP each); cruise speed 90 mph, top speed 110 mph, range 525 miles; span 90', length 67', weight 12,000 lbs. empty, 19,000 lbs. loaded; used by Imperial Airways since 1926 (and to be taken out of service in 1934), cost $109,000. 

Armstrong-Whitworth AW.15 Atalanta

  • high-wing monoplane transport, 2 pilots, engineer + 9 passengers + 1600 lbs. of mail (though a version with less space for mail could seat 17 passengers); four Armstrong Siddeley Serval III radial engines of 340 HP; cruise speed 130 mph, maximum speed 156 mph, range 640 miles, ceiling 14,200', maximum weight 21,000 lbs., empty weight 14,000 lbs.; span 90', length 71' 6". Began service in 1932 with Imperial Airways and Indian Trans-Continental Airways, now on various routes in Africa (Egypt to Cape Town, via Kenya), and from Karachi to Calcutta (from 6 July 1933), Rangoon (from 23 September 1933), and to Singapore (starting on 9 December 1933). 

Avro Ten

  • high wing monoplane trimotor transport, 2 crew + 10-20 passengers; in use by QANTAS. 

Barnes BF-6A Stormer

  • high-wing amphibian fighter, pilot + radio operator/copilot, both carried in a pressurized cabin; two Barnes V-12 supercharged diesels (1500 HP each) on coaxial shafts, driving counter-rotating props; top speed nearly 300 mph, range probably under 300 miles, ceiling 30,000'; wing span 47' 8", length 35' 10" (with floats retracted); armament two .50 cal machine guns, and 37mm automatic cannon firing through propellor shaft (copilot loads 5 round clips into the 37mm gun). Retractable floats and wheels, radio and radio-direction-finder; first example constructed in 1933, several examples of this fictional aircraft soon show up in the hands of mercenaries and criminals; probably cost over $50,000 to build. 

Barnes BT-4

  • monoplane amphibian, crew 10 (2 pilots, fighter pilot, 4 gunners, steward/loader, navigator/radio operator/bombardier, and an engineer); engines two Barnes V-12 supercharged diesels (1500 HP each); cruise 160 mph, max 180 mph, ceiling 11,000', range 2000 miles; span 143', length 124' , weight 15 tons. Landing gear consists of a pair of amphibious floats equipped with dual wheels. The fuselage measures 20 ft. across at its widest point and contains a hangar for a parasite fighter, a very complete set of radio equipment including a direction finder, an all-electric galley, sleeping quarters for the crew, toilets and a shower. Rifle-caliber machine guns are mounted in the nose, tail and ventral gun positions; the top turret mounts a 37mm automatic cannon (the COW gun, fed by 5 round clips). Small bomb bays can dispense "several" 50 lb. bombs, and larger bomb racks (or extra fuel tanks) can be fitted into the hangar bay (in place of the 2000 lb. "Eaglet" fighter). Cost well in excess of $500,000, and of course fictional.

Barnes Eaglet

  • high-wing monoplane amphibian fighter, pilot in enclosed (and very cramped) cockpit; engine Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp radial of 830 HP; wingspan about 28', length 23' 6" with floats retracted, weight about 2000 lbs.; variable-pitch propellor, retractable floats with semi-enclosed wheels, folding wings, armament unknown but probably 1 or 2 rifle-caliber machine guns; this small fictional aircraft is used as a "parasite fighter" for the Barnes BT-4, and for other Barnes aircraft. Probably cost about $30,000 to build.

Beechcraft Model B17 Staggerwing

  • low-wing monoplane, pilot + 4 passengers and 125 lbs of luggage; engine Jacobs L-4 radial (225 HP); cruise speed 175 mph, top speed 190 mph, ceiling 25,000', range 680 miles on 50 gallon fuel tank (120 gallon tank optional, for 1700 mile range); span 32', length 26' 10", empty weight 2540 lbs., maximum weight 4250 lbs.; retractable landing gear, simple radio equipment. The version described costs $8,550, but more powerful engine options are available, with total costs up to $17,000 for various circa-500 HP, 250 mph versions (and even more from 1937). Becomes a popular executive transport after its introduction in March of 1934.

Bellanca W.B.2

 

this Bellanca flew non-stop from New York to Berlin

 

  • high-wing cabin monoplane, 2 pilots + 4 passengers; engine Wright Whirlwind J-5 radial (220 HP); cruise 105 mph, ceiling 13,000'; span 46', length 27', weight 5400 lbs.; a modified W.B.2 flew about 4,000 miles in 1927 (with a total of 1000 gallons of fuel replacing the passengers), from New York to Eisleben (near Berlin).

Bellanca Skyrocket

  • high-wing cagin monoplane, 2 pilots + 4 passengers; engine P&W Wasp radial of 550 HP; cruise speed 150 mph, top speed 175 mph, landing speed 60 mph, ceiling about 18,000', range 1000 miles. Span 47' 6", length 27' 11", can carry about 2000 lbs. of pilots, cargo, passengers and fuel. Price $18,000 (landplane) or $20,000 (floatplane). By cramming in the maximum fuel, with only two pilots, the first trans-Pacific flight of 4500 miles was made in 1931, in a previous version of the Skyrocket -- Bellanca has made improved models every year, this is an early 1934 version.

Boeing Model 40A

  •     single engine biplane, pilot (in open cockpit) + 2 or 4 passengers (in cabin); P&W Hornet radial engine of 525 HP; cruise speed 115 mph, top speed 138 mph, range 650 miles, ceiling 15,100'; span 44' 2", length 33' 5", weight empty 3809 lbs., maximum weight 6080 lbs., max 1,200 lbs. of 'non-pilot, non-fuel' cargo. Equipped with radio and electric starter. Cost $24,500.

Boeing Model 80A

  • trimotor biplane, 2 or 3 crew + 18 passengers; three P&W Hornet radial engines of 525 HP; span 80', length 57', empty weight 10,582 lbs., maximum weight 17,500 lbs.; cruise 110 mph, top speed 138mph, range 500 miles, ceiling 14,000'. Intro. August 1928, cost $75,000. An unsold military variant carries 1800 lbs. of bombs.

Boeing Model 200 Monomail

  • low wing monoplane, pilot only; P&W Hornet radial engine of 575 HP; cruise speed 135 mph, top speed 158 mph, range 600 miles, ceiling 14,000'. Span 59' 1", length 41' 2", weight empty 4626 lbs., maximum weight 8000 lbs., cargo weight 2300 lbs.; semi-enclosed cockpit, all-metal construction, semi-retractable landing gear, radio, electric starter; introduced in May 1930 initially for mail and cargo only. An un-sold bomber variant can carry 750 lbs of bombs.

Boeing Model 201

  • low wing monoplane, pilot + 6 passengers; P&W Hornet radial engine of 575 HP; cruise speed 135 mph, top speed 158 mph, range 600 miles, ceiling 14,000'. Span 59' 1", length 41' 2", weight empty 4700 lbs., maximum weight 8000 lbs., cargo weight 1100 lbs.; semi-enclosed cockpit, all-metal construction, semi-retractable landing gear, radio, electric starter; introduced in August of 1930 as a variant of the Monomail.

Boeing Model 247A

  • monoplane transport with retractable landing gear, 2 crew + 10 passengers or 4800 lbs. of cargo; two P&W Twin Wasp radials of 625 HP each; top speed 200 mph, cruise speed 170 mph, landing speed 62 mph, ceiling 25,400', range 750 miles (more with 4 extra wing tanks, even more with 2 large fuselage tanks); introduced spring of 1933, airliner costs $50,000, VIP version detailed is $75,000. A couple of bomber/VIP transport versions will be sold to the Nationalist Chinese.

Boeing Sport Pursuit

  • biplane fighter, pilot only; engine P&W Wasp radial of 420 HP; span 30' 1", length 20' 1", empty weight 1882 lbs., maximum weight 2700 lbs.; cruise speed 140 mph, top speed 170 mph, range 550 miles, ceiling 24,000'. Armament to suit purchaser, but usually two rifle-caliber MG; cost $20,000.

Boeing P-12E

  • biplane fighter, pilot only; P&W R-1340 radial engine of 500 HP; cruise 160 mph, top speed 189 mph, ceiling 31,400', range 585 miles; span 30', length 20' 5", weight empty 2014 lbs., gross weight 2701 lbs.; armament two .30 cal MG + 332 lbs. of bombs. Over 360 of these aircraft have been purchased since 1929 by the Army Air Corps, by far the most numerous pursuit planes in the AAC. The Navy uses the F4B, very similar except for substituting a .50 cal MG for one of the .30 cal MG (and of course naval fittings such as a tail hook). A 55 gallon external fuel tank will double the range. Cost about $18,000; also sold to Brazil, Siam, and China in small numbers, plus half a dozen made for civilians (including Howard Hughes).

Boeing P-26 Peashooter

  • low-wing monoplane fighter, pilot only; one P&W R-1340 radial engine of 600 HP, cruise 200 mph, max speed 235 mph, ceiling 31,000', range 635 miles; span 28', length 23' 7", weight empty 2200 lbs., max weight 3000 lbs.. Armament two .30 cal MG + 200 lbs. of bombs; 136 of these new fighters were ordered in January of 1933 for the Army Air Corps; except for 3 prototypes, deliveries will begin in December of 1933. All-metal construction, fitted with flaps and a radio. Cost $10,000; served with several other countries, most notably in China.

Bristol Bulldog Mk IIA

  • biplane fighter, pilot only; Bristol Jupiter VIIF radial engine of 440 HP; top speed 178 mph, range 310 miles, ceiling 27,000'; span 33' 11", length 25' 2", empty weight 2222 lbs., maximum weight 3660 lbs.; armament two .303 MG + up to four 20 lb. bombs. Entered service with the RAF in 1928, and being replaced with Hawker Fury, Gloster Gauntlet, and Hawker Demon aircraft. Cost about $15,000, the Bulldog has been sold to many countries.

Cheranovsky BICh-17

  • tailless parabolic wing fighter, pilot only; M-22 radial engine of 480 HP; top speed 130 mph, range 300 miles, ceiling 20,000'; span 40', length 16' 5", empty weight 2000 lbs., maximum weight 2500 lbs.; armament two Kurchevsky APK 80mm recoilless cannon (5 rounds each); radio and retractable landing gear. Designed by Boris I. Cheranovsky for the Soviet Air Force, still in experimental status (speed, range and weight are conjectural).

Consolidated Commodore 16 Type 1

  • monoplane flying boat, 3 crew (pilots in open cockpits) + 25 passengers; two P&W Hornet radial engines (575 HP each); cruise speed 108 mph, top speed 128 mph, ceiling 10,000', range 1,000 miles; span 100', length 61' 6", empty weight 10,550 lbs., maximum weight 17,600 lbs.. The latest thing in commercial flying boats; the Type 2 carries 32 passengers and less cargo; also in use by the U.S. Navy as the PY-1 patrol plane (with an enclosed cockpit), whose larger fuel tank allows a range of 2,400 miles. This plane is the direct ancestor of the famous PBY 'Catalina.' Cost $125,000.

Consolidated Model 17 Fleetster

 


  • parasol wing cabin monoplane, 1 pilot + 5 passengers; P&W Hornet radial engine of 575 HP (or with a Wright Cyclone); cruise speed 150 mph, top speed 175 mph, range 750 miles, ceiling 19,000'; span 45', length 32', empty weight 3326 lbs, maximum weight 5300 lbs.; prototype first flown in 1929, introduced 1930. "The first was an order for a private owner in [early] 1930, designated 17-2C and had a different engine." Cost $27,500.

Consolidated P2Y-3 Ranger

  • sesquiplane flying boat based on the Commodore design, 2 pilots, navigator/radio operator, engineer; two Wright R-1820-90 Cyclone radial engines (750 HP each); top speed 139 mph, ceiling 16,000', range 1200 miles; span 100', length 62', weight 10 tons. The latest patrol plane of the US Navy, it can carry 2000 lbs of bombs; or, by adding fuel tanks instead of bombs, the range can be increased to about 2000 miles. Cost about $100,000.

Couzinet 70

  • low-wing monoplane trimotor, 4 crew as mailplane; three Hispano-Suiza 12Nb engines (liquid cooled, 650 HP each); max 174 mph, cruise 147 mph, range 4,225 miles; span 98', length 53', weight 18.5 tons including 1322 lbs. of cargo; will be used by France to establish long-range mail services in 1933 (as Arc-en-ciel ), cost $40,000.

Curtiss BFC-2

 

  • biplane fighter-bomber, pilot only; Wright R-1820 radial engine of 700 HP; cruise speed 160 mph, top speed 202 mph, range 522 miles, ceiling 25,100'; empty weight 3037 lbs., maximum weight 4132 lbs.; armament two .30 MG + 500 lbs. of bombs. Sold (under the name "Hawk II" and "Hawk III") to several foreign governments (including China, Siam, Argentina, and Turkey), in addition to serving aboard American aircraft carriers. Cost about $25,000.

Curtiss JN-4 Jenny

  • biplane, 2 pilots in open cockpits; engine Curtiss OX-5 or Hispano-Suiza A; max 75 mph (OX-5 engine) or 80 mph (Hispano-Suiza engine), climb or glide speed 55 mph, cruise speed 63 mph, stall speed 40-45 mph, ceiling 8,000' (OX-5) to 11,000' (H-S), climb rate 300' per minute, range 250 miles; span 44', length 27', weight 2150 lbs.; carries 21 gallons gasoline, 4 gallons oil; instruments are: tachometer, oil gauge, gas gauge, radiator thermometer, airspeed indicator, compass; built 1916-1918, surplus Jennys in flyable condition are getting rare (and old), and go for about $600; also, in 1928 new safety regulations made their operation illegal without extensive modifications and improvements (such as more instruments, etc.). This plane can take off or land in about 200'. For barnstorming, sturdier landing gear, and a two place front cockpit, are often fitted.

Curtiss C-1 Robin

  • high-wing monoplane, pilot + 2 passengers in enclosed cabin; engine Lycoming R-680 9-cylinder radial, 225 HP; climb 1,000' per minute at 60 mph, cruise at 85 mph, max speed 105 mph, ceiling 20,000', takeoff in about 300', range 510 miles (at 7,500' altitude); span 41', length 26', empty weight 1,576 lbs., max gross weight 2,440 lbs., and 400 lbs. cargo with pilot + 50 gallons gas; cost $6,000; introduced about 1927. A very popular rum-running aircraft, many options are available (floats, different engines, extra instruments or fuel tanks, etc.).

Curtiss D-2 Kingbird

  • high-wing monoplane, pilot + 7 passengers; engines two Wright Whirlwind radials of 300 HP; cruise speed 123 mph, top speed 145 mph, range 378 miles, ceiling 19,700'; span 54' 6", length 34' 10", empty weight 3850 lbs., maximum weight 6115 lbs., passengers + cargo can equal up to 1190 lbs.. Fitted with lavatory, cabin heater, electric starters; cost $27,500.

Curtiss AT-32 Condor

 

notice the auxiliary fuel tanks installed, left and right

 

  • biplane transport, 2 crew + 14 passengers (or 5700 lbs. of cargo as a freighter); two Wright Cyclone radials of 720 HP each, with variable-pitch propellors; top speed 180 mph, cruising speed 160 mph, landing speed 62 mph, ceiling 23000', range 800 miles; span 91' 8", length 57' 6", empty weight 11,574 lbs., maximum weight 17,900 lbs.. Introduced in the Spring of 1933 in service with American Airways and Eastern Air Transport, cost $55,000 to $63,000 (a version introduced in 1931 used Curtiss Conqueror V12 600 HP engines). A specially-fitted version has been built for Byrd's Antarctic Expedition, with two additional 550 gallon fuel tanks in the fuselage, and the ability to be fitted with floats or skis in place of the usual wheels. In addition, military versions are being developed; they will serve with the U.S. Navy, and the Argentinean, Chinese and Columbian militaries.

Curtiss P-6E Hawk

  • biplane fighter, pilot only; engine Curtiss V-12 Conqueror of 700 HP; cruise speed 175 mph, max speed 193 mph, ceiling 24,000', range 572 miles; span 31' 6", length 22' 7", weight empty 2700 lbs., gross weight 3440 lbs.; armament two .30 cal MG. 46 of these planes, plus a couple dozen of the similar P-6A model, are used by the Army Air Corps; they are considered not very agile. These aircraft have also been sold to Cuba and Japan. Cost $35,000.

Curtiss F8C-4 Helldiver

  • biplane attack aircraft, 2 crew; engine P&W R-1340 radial of 450 HP; cruise speed 116 mph, max speed 137 mph, ceiling 20,000', range 722 miles; span 32', length 26', weight empty 2500 lbs., gross weight 3730 lbs.; armament four .30 cal MG + 500 lbs. of bombs. In use with two US Marine squadrons. Export version, $14,000.

Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk

  • biplane fighter, pilot only; engine Wright R975 radial, of 438 HP; top speed 175 mph; wing span 25' 5", length 20' 7", empty weight 2089 lbs., maximum weight 2770 lbs.; armament two .30 MG. Used aboard naval dirigibles, fitted with a skyhook; the wheels are sometimes removed and an external fuel tank is fitted.

de Havilland D.H.4B

  • typical (older) mail-carrying biplane, ex-military bomber, 2 pilots (some civil versions have 1 pilot + 2 passengers); engine Packard Liberty 12; speed 125 mph, ceiling 19,500', range 400 miles or so; span 42', length 31', weight 4300 lbs. including 1000 lbs. of cargo; cost (used, approximately) $2,000 to $5,000, depending on wear and tear -- last production was in about 1924.

de Havilland D.H.61 Giant Moth

  • biplane transport, 1 pilot + 8-10 passengers; engine Bristol Jupiter, cruise speed 100 mph, max speed 132 mph, ceiling 18,000', range 450 miles; span 52', length 39', weight 3650 lbs empty, 7000 lbs max (including 600 lbs of luggage or cargo).  The wings fold backwards for storage or transport. At least one was mounted on floats; extra fuel tanks replace some or all of the seats on mailplane versions, giving more range. Only 10 were made, mostly used by QANTAS.

de Havilland D.H.66 Hercules

  • biplane trimotor, 3 crew + 8 passengers; three Bristol Jupiter engines, cruise speed 110 mph, ceiling 13,000', range 400 miles; span 80', length 56', weight 8 tons. Introduced 1926, and used by Imperial Airways on their Near Eastern routes; to be taken out of service in 1934.

de Havilland D.H.80A Puss Moth

  • high-wing monoplane light transport, pilot and 2 passengers; engine Gipsy Major straight-4 of 130 HP; top speed 124 mph. First delivered in mid-1930. Early aircraft had a series of wing failures.

de Havilland D.H.82 Tiger Moth

  • biplane trainer, two pilots in open cockpits; engine Gipsy Major straight-4 of 130 HP; top speed 104 mph, range 300 miles, ceiling 14,000'; span 29' 4", length 23' 11", weight 1825 lbs.. First flown October 1931, in use by the RAF as a trainer.

de Havilland D.H.84 Dragon Mk. I

  • biplane airliner, with pilot and 6 to 8 passengers; engines two Gipsy Major straight-4 of 130 HP; cruising speed 109 mph, range 460 miles, ceiling 12,500'; span 47' 4", length 34' 6", maximum weight 4200 lbs.. First delivered in 1932; the Persian air force has received 8 Dragons, and has fitted several machine guns to their craft.

de Havilland D.H.86 Diana

  • a four-engine biplane transport, first delivered in 1934, and used extensively for several years by British and Imperial air services. The fastest British-built passenger aircraft when introduced, it had serious construction deficiencies, and is not a safe airplane.

de Havilland D.H.88 Comet

  • low-wing monoplane racer and mail plane, 2 pilots; two Gipsy Six inline-6 engines, 230 HP each; cruising speed 220 mph, top speed 237 mph, range 2925 miles, ceiling 19,000'; span 44', length 29', weight 5550 lbs. Retractable landing gear, enclosed cockpit, designed to win the Londen-Melbourne race of 1934. Cost £5000 (about $20,000), only five were built between 1934 and 1936.

DFS-44

  • flying wing heavy fighter, pilot + radio operator/tail gunner; two Daimler-Benz inverted V-12 engines (770 HP each); cruise speed 250 mph, top speed 270 mph, ceiling 30,000', range 1,500 miles; span 60', length 25', weight 5.5 tons. The rear turret is fitted with two 7.92mm MG17 machine guns, two 20mm MG FF autocannons are fitted in the wing (each with a 60 round drum of ammunition, which cannot be reloaded in flight), along with two more MG17 machine guns. There is a bomb rack mounting point on each wing, outboard of the landing gear, capable of carrying 250 kg bombs; the bomb bay can hold up to 500 kg of bombs. External fuel tanks of 240 gallon capacity can be fitted to the wings, instead of bombs; this increases the range to about 2,200 miles (easily enough to fly from Egypt to Berlin). Cost of this fictional aircraft is unknown but at least $350,000; first introduced 1933.

Dornier Do-J 6 Ton Wal

  • monoplane flying boat, 2 pilots + 8 to 10 passengers; two Napier Lion engines (450 HP each); cruise 100 mph, ceiling 11,500', range 4,000 miles; span 74', length 57', weight 6 tons. The original 'Wal' was introduced 1922, and two of that model were used by Roald Amundsen during his attempt to reach the North Pole. Later models have flown the first crossing of the South Atlantic in 1926, and flew from Europe to Chicago non-stop in August 1930 (the first east to west crossing of the Atlantic by a flying boat). The cabin is a bit cramped (think moden executive jet). This is a very popular flying boat: hundreds have been built by Dornier, CMASA, CASA, and Aviolanda. It has been successfully launched from ships by catapult, and is being used in this fashion for mail service to South America from Europe. Cost, about $30,000 for a long-range version.

Dornier Do-X1b

  • monoplane flying boat, 10 crew + 13 passengers; twelve Rolls-Royce 'R' type engines (water-cooled, 2500 HP V-12s, with Farman gear-driven two-stage centrifugal superchargers) burn a total of 600 gallons of gas per hour; cruise 175 mph, max 200 mph, ceiling 12,000', range 1500 miles; length 131.5', span 158', weight 30 tons empty, 52 tons loaded (including about 15 tons of aviation gasoline) -- the world's largest airplane. The original model was built spring 1929; this model (available after 1931) costs about $1,000,000 ($400,000 plus the cost of engines -- Curtiss Conquerors cost about $8,000 each, Rolls-Royce 'R' engines are $26,000 each!). The original passenger version carried 169 persons in a record-setting test flight. Interior divided into three decks, with lounge, saloon, shower baths, kitchen, and 'Pullman' style berths for the passengers on the main deck; an auxiliary engine is used to provide electrical power and heat while at anchor. See the Super Dornier X page for more information on this slightly fictionalized aircraft for a grand hero or villain; Alexi Vishnaveshki took delivery of one in the fall of 1930, and had it flown to America (with much press attention).

Dornier Do-18

  • monoplane flying boat, 2 pilots + 10 passengers (civil) or 4 crew (recon); two Junkers "Jumo 205" (560 HP each) V-12 diesels; cruise speed 124 mph, top speed 155 mph, ceiling 14,000', range 2,800 to 5,200 miles depending on type; span 77', length 63', weight 11 tons. Military versions are fitted with a couple of 13mm MG151 machine guns in flexible mounts (one in the nose and one midships) and can carry two 50 kg bombs but no passengers. Cost, about $50,000 for a long-range version or military recon version; available (historically) from 1935.

Douglas Dolphin

  • monoplane amphibian, 2 pilots + 6 passengers; two Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial engines (450 HP each); cruise speed 135 mph, top speed 156 mph, ceiling 17,000', range 720 miles; span 60', length 44', weight empty 3.5 tons, max 4.5 tons. A popular "executive" aircraft, introduced 1931. Cost $43,000.

Douglas DC-2

  • monoplane transport, 2 pilots + 14-18 passengers; two Wright Cyclone SGR-1820 or Pratt & Whitney Hornet radial engines (700 HP each); cruise speed 183 mph, top speed 230 mph, landing speed 61 mph, ceiling 23,000', range 930 miles on 500 gallons fuel; span 85', length 62', weight empty 6 tons, max 9 tons. Lavatory, flaps, retractable landing gear, autopilot, radio with direction finder, and many other modern features. A new transcontinental transport, under construction for TWA (the prototype DC-1 flew in July of 1933), and the ancestor of the DC-3 (which will first fly in December of 1935). Cost $80,000.

Fairchild FC-2

  • high-wing cabin monoplane, pilot + 4 passengers; P&W Wasp or Wright J-4 engine; cruise speed 115 mph, range 1,000 miles, ceiling 15,500'; span 50', length 31', weight 4,600 lbs.; cost about $12,000, floats or skis available for extra charge. Wings can be easily folded for ground transport in 2 minutes by 2 men. An FC-2 flew the first NY-Miami nonstop in January 1928.

Fairchild 24-W

  • high-wing cabin monoplane, pilot + 3 passengers; engine Warner radial of 145 HP; cruise speed 120 mph; span 36' 4", maximum weight 2550 lbs.; cost $6,000.

Farman F.220

  • high-wing monoplane transport, 2 crew + up to 10 passengers; four Hispano-Suiza V-12 engines of 600 HP each; cruise 136 mph, ceiling 20,000', range 2800 miles, span 118', length 69', weight 17 tons. Introduced 1930 as a bomber, transport version first flown in 1933, planned for flights from France to South America.

Fiat CR.32

  • biplane fighter, pilot only (though a two-person training version does exist); Fiat A-30 V-12 engine of 600 HP; cruise 180 mph, max speed 220 mph, ceiling 29,000', range 485 miles, span 31', length 24.5', weight 2 tons. Two machine guns, either 7.7mm or 12.7mm in Italian service; can carry two 110 lb. bombs. No radio or armor fitted at this time. Introduced 1934 into Italian service, replacing the similar CR.30 of 1932, widely exported to various countries (n

  • otably China and Nationalist Spain).

Fleet 2

  • biplane trainer, two pilots in tandem open cockpits; engine 110 HP Warner Scarab radial; cruise speed 90 mph, top speed 106 mph, range 352 miles, ceiling 13,000'; span 28', length 20' 9", empty weight 1022 lbs., maximum weight 1580 lbs.; widely used as a military and civilian training aircraft, cost $4,485 (also available with floats for an additional $1000).

Fokker F.VIIb-3m

  • high-wing monoplane trimotor, 2 pilots + 8 to 10 passengers; 3 Armstrong Siddeley Lynx engines (sometimes fitted with Wright J-5 Whirlwinds of 237 HP each); cruise 93 mph (111 mph with Wright engines), ceiling 14,000', range about 600 miles (745 miles with Wright engines), weight 5 tons, span 71', length 48'. Introduced 1927, cost about $60,000. As a bomber, payload is 800 pounds.

Fokker F-10A

 

  • high-wing monoplane trimotor, 2 pilots + 12 or 14 passengers; three Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engines of 420 HP; cruise speed 122 mph, top speed 151 mph (only 104 mph with two engines running), landing speed 55 mph, range 765 miles, ceiling 18,000'; empty weight 7780 lbs., cargo and passengers 2,700 pounds, maximum weight 13,100 lbs., span 71' 2", length 49' 11". There's only one control column in the cockpit, of the "swing over" variety. Introduced 1930 to replace the F.VIIb-32, cost $54,500 (a "deluxe air yacht" version is available, to carry 8 passengers, costs $60,000).

Fokker F-32

  • high-wing monoplane, 2 pilots + 1 steward + 32 passengers (sleeper version has a crew of 5 + 16 passengers); four P&W Hornet radial engines (575 HP each) in two nacelles; cruise speed 120 mph, top speed 140 mph, range 750 miles, ceiling 16,000'; span 99', length 73', weight empty 14,910 lbs, maximum weight 24,250 lbs.; introduced summer of 1929. Two are currently in service between Alhambra, California and Oakland, California, operated by Western Air Express. Very comfortable, and the largest transport in commercial service, but very expensive -- cost $110,000.

Ford 5-AT Trimotor

  • high-wing monoplane trimotor, 2 pilots + 10 to 12 passengers; three P&W Wasp radial engines of 420 HP; cruise speed 122 mph, top speed 152 mph, range 560 miles, ceiling 17,300', takeoff distance 600'; empty weight 7500 lbs., maximum weight 13,500 lbs., span 77' 10", length 49' 10". Introduced 1926 (1928 for the 5-AT version), cost $50,000. All-metal construction; a float-equipped version is available for $64,000. As a bomber, can carry 1000 lbs. of bombs.

Gee Bee Model Z

  • low-wing monoplane racer, pilot only; engine P&W R-985 Wasp Junior (modified for racing); cruise speed over 230 mph, can reach 280 mph, range 1,000 miles; span 23.5', length 15', weight 2,280 lbs. loaded. Introduced August 1931, cost about $10,000.

Gee Bee R-1 Super Sportster

  • low-wing monoplane racer, pilot only; engine P&W Wasp radial; top speed 296 mph, range ?; span 25', length 12' 9", weight 3075 lbs. max; introduced 1932, very expensive and hard to fly.

Gee Bee C-8 Eightster

  • low-wing monoplane, engine Wright R-1820 of 700 HP, pilot + 8 passengers; top speed 225 mph, cruise 190 mph, landing speed 90 mph; span 47'9", length 32'11", load 3400 lbs., range 870 miles.

Grumman FF-1

  • biplane naval fighter, pilot + radio operator/rear gunner; engine Wright R-1820 radial of 750 HP; cruising speed 122 mph, top speed 201 mph, range 732 miles, ceiling 22,400'; empty weight 3076 lbs., maximum weight 4655 lbs.; armament two .30 cal MG, and 200 lbs. of bombs; retractable landing gear, enclosed canopy for crew. FF-1s serve aboard the carrier Lexington; the later F2F, which first flies in 1933, is very similar except for not carrying an observer/rear gunner.

Grumman Duck

Grumman Goose

 

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