Boeing Model 386

History

The United States Navy (USN) participated in World War II (1939-1945) with Brewster "Buffalo" and Grumman "Wildcat" as the main fronts combatants. However, the war quickly demonstrated the need for a more modern combat platform, which led to numerous design studies by defense players large and small at the time.

While the Grumman "Hellcat" and Vought "Corsair" types eventually became the workhorses (and ace manufacturers) of the service, there were other products that likely shaped the new face of U.S. naval aviation.

Boeing had plans for the 1943 "Type 376" (detailed elsewhere on this page). This single-seat, single-engine system would be powered by a (then experimental) Pratt & Whitney R-4360 "Wasp Major" 28-cylinder radial-piston air-cooled engine, and the aircraft would have a slim and elegant fuselage.

With estimated speeds in excess of 400 mph, the cannon-equipped 4 x 20mm fighter will use a low-mounted monoplane structure and a trailing-gear arrangement.

Since then, the company has developed an identical offshoot design along the line, which later became the "Type 386". While the Model 376 is marketed for low to mid-altitude work up to approximately 35,000 feet, the Model 386 is suitable for work up to 46,000 feet.

In addition to the equally powerful (and experimental) radial engine modifications, the new fighter will carry counter-rotating propeller blades on the nose (2 x three-blade units rotating in opposite directions) - a similar feature to the Type 376's single quad The blade units are different. /p]

All other aspects of the fighter were retained, including the low-mounted monoplane wing elements, the single rudder fin at the stern, and the trailing undercarriage. The armament was the same: 4 x 20mm automatic cannons buried in the wings, two cannons per wing, outside the rotating propeller blades and main landing gear legs.

Usually carrier-friendly features - folding wings (outside of the bi-wing guns), snap hooks - are also planned. Like the Model 376 before it, the Model 386 never made a name for itself and went down in history.

According to the plan provided, the Boeing fighter would have a barrel length of 41.11 feet, a wingspan of 55.3 feet, and weigh close to 15,500 pounds. The PW R-4360 Wasp Major engine should provide about 3,000 hp to the contra-rotating propeller unit on the nose.

Estimated speed is 434 mph (just over 20,000 feet), service is capped at 46,000 feet, and range is up to 1,000 miles.

Specification

Base

Years in Service

1943

Origins

United States

Status

Cancel

Development ended.

Crew

1

Production

0

Manufacturer

Boeing Company - USA

Carrier

US (obsolete)

scrolling

air-to-air combat, fighter

The general ability to actively attack other aircraft of similar form and function, usually using guns, missiles and/or airborne missiles.

nautical/navy

Water mobility capability for a variety of land-based or ship-based maritime missions, supported by Allied Naval Surface Forces.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

41.9 feet

(12.78m)

Width/span

55. 3 feet

(16.85m)

Height

16. 0 feet

(4.88m)

Cured weight

12,125 lbs

(5,500 kg)

MTOW

16,810 lbs

(7,625 kg)

Wgt Difference

+4,685 lbs

(+2,125 kg)

Performance

Installed:

1 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major 28 cylinder, 4 row, air cooled, radial piston engine producing 3,000 hp and driving a 2 x 3 blade counter-rotating nose propeller unit.

Maximum speed

435 km/h

(700 km/h | 378 kn)

Maximum

46,014 feet

(14,025 m | 9 km)

Area

1,000 km

(1,610 km | 2,982 nautical miles)

rate of climb

2,100 ft/min

(640 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: < 614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

ARMAMENT

PROPOSED:4 x 20mm Automatic cannons in wings (two to a wing).