Boeing F2B (Model 69)

History

The Boeing F2B biplane is the US Navy's carrier-based fighter jet. It was made in two dozen examples and is not used outside the US. Evolving from the Boeing PW-9, the F2B was a rugged dual-role fighter that provided a formidable solution to the American carrier wings of the 1920s.

The aircraft has also proven to be the mount of choice for the U.S. Navy's "Triple Seahawks" aerobatic team, who typically link their three F2B biplanes together for close formation flights - a group that, for obvious reasons, was Known as the "suicide trio".

The origins of the F2B lie in the testing of a single ("one-off") experimental branch of the Boeing PW-9 fighter jet. The experiment was named "FB-6" and "Model 54" by Boeing. This led to the Boeing "XP-8" (Type 66) being finally tested (and passed) by the US Army and developed into a design suitable for the US Navy. The PW-9 airframe is mated to a 450-horsepower Pratt & Whitney R-1340-B "Wasp" radial engine, which promises improved performance over the original line. When the U.S.

Navy needed a new modern biplane, the Type 69 emerged to fill that role. The biplane wing layout was retained, as was the two-wheel landing gear with tail skid. In the typical open-air cockpit of the time, the pilot sat below and slightly aft of the upper main wing assembly, with the engine in the forward part of the forward fuselage.

While a trimmer was fitted to the front of the engine on the prototype, this feature was omitted from subsequent production models. The standard armament became 2 x .30 caliber machine guns mounted on the engine and fired synchronously via rotating propeller blades, although these could also be replaced with 1 x combos. 30 caliber and 1 x .50 caliber heavy machine gun assembly for extra power. The lower wing assembly is also used to transport and deliver conventional throwing weapons.

This allows the Type 69 to be used as a fighter and fighter-bomber on US aircraft carriers.

The first flight of the Type 69 (as the US Navy prototype "XF2B-1") took place on 3 November 1926. After the necessary testing phase, the aircraft was officially adopted by the US Navy as the Boeing "F2B". January 20, 1928.

The initial order was for 32 first-production aircraft, designated "F2B-1", to begin operations on the soon-to-be WWII veteran USS Saratoga (CV-3).

In practice, the F2B was a very robust and capable carrier-based fighter at the time, with the required agility and power. In the aircraft's final configuration, the fighter jets are approaching 160 miles per hour and flying at about 130 miles per hour.

Range is a manageable 315 miles, a critical quality for aircraft that are typically deployed far from land bases for refueling and rearming. Service is capped at 21,500 feet with a climb rate of 1,900 feet per second. Weight includes 2,000 lbs empty and 2,800 lbs maximum takeoff weight (MTOW).

The Pratt & Whitney R-1340-8 Wasp radial piston engine produces 425 horsepower and provides the thrust necessary to propel the F2B off the carrier deck. Browning M2 heavy machine guns and M1919 medium machine guns made up the standard fighter armament, while 5 x 25 lb bombs could be dropped under the lower wing for strike operations.

Boeing also developed the Type 69B, two of which were produced and sent to Brazil and Japan for evaluation. However, this type has not been adopted by any country. In addition, the U.S. Navy did not order F2B fighters beyond its initial inventory order of 32 aircraft.

This is the end of the story of the Boeing aircraft carrier. Including the only prototype, 33 aircraft of the line were completed.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes