Burnelli RB-1
| Burnelli RB-1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Passenger aircraft |
| National origin | United States of America |
| Manufacturer | Burnelli |
| First flight | 21 June 1921[1] |
| Number built | 1[2] |
TheBurnelli RB-1was aUStwin enginebiplaneairliner prototype from 1920, incorporating alifting bodyfuselage.
Design and development
[edit]TheBurnelli RB-1,often known as theRemington-Burnelli Airliner,was an American passengerbiplanefrom 1920, designed byVincent Burnelli.[1][3]It incorporated Burnelli's lifting-body design. Following several more conventional designs during theWWIyears, Burnelli came up with the idea of a lifting body: anairfoil-shaped fuselage that could be used to generate up to 50% of the lift, improving performance, due to reduced wing area and fuel consumption.
The RB-1's body contributed about 27% of the total lifting area and was designed to support about 15% of its weight. The fuselage was built aroundplywoodframes and was clad incorrugatedduralumin.The two pilots were situated in a pair of open cockpits, each with a mechanic seated by his side. Its pair ofLibertyengines were immediately in front of these cockpits, largely buried in the leading edge of the body but accessible from the cockpits. The body width of 14 ft (4.27 m) placed the engines only 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) apart, with about 1 in (25 mm) clearance between propeller tips. The cabin housed up to 30 passengers. At the fixed "trailing edge" of the fuselage small twin fins mounted above its sides carriedbalanced ruddersand short, mid-fuselage mounted tailplanes carried balancedelevators.[1]
It was asingle bay equal span biplane,with simple parallelinterplane strutsand withoutstagger.The wings were wooden structures, fabric covered. Theaileronscarried on both upper and lower wings had prominent tip balances.[1]
The RB-1 flew for the first time on 21 June 1921 fromCurtiss Field,Long Island,piloted byBert Acosta[1]andWilliam P. Sullivan.[citation needed]Its performance was considered acceptable. However, the first model produced was badly damaged while on the ground during a storm.
Burnelli RB-2
[edit]| Burnelli RB-2 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Biplane freighter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Burnelli |
| Designer | Vincent Burnelli |
| First flight | 1924 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Developed from | Burnelli RB-1 |
TheBurnelli RB-2was a 1920sAmericantwin-enginedbiplanefreighter or airliner, designed byVincent Burnelliwith a lifting body fuselage. At the time it was the world's largest commercial freighter. It was the first aircraft to carry a motor car inside its fuselage.
Design and development
[edit]The RB-2 was based on the earlier RB-1 airliner, it had improved control surfaces and was powered by two 650 hp Galloway Atlantic piston engines.[4]It had a corrugated metal construction with a dural skin giving it an empty weight of 5 tons.[4]The passenger cabin could be fitted with 25 seats or used for freight.[4]
In 1925 the aircraft was used by theHudson Motor Car Companyas a flying showroom for theEssexautomobile.[5]
Specifications
[edit]
Data fromFlight 1921[1]
General characteristics
- Crew:2 pilots and 2 mechanics
- Capacity:30 passengers
- Length:41 ft 2 in (12.55 m)
- Upper wingspan:74 ft 0 in (22.56 m)
- Lower wingspan:74 ft 0 in (22.56 m)
- Height:18 ft 0 in (5.49 m)
- Wing area:1,827 sq ft (169.7 m2) total, including 735 sq ft (68.3 m²) upper wing, 588 sq ft (54.6 m²) lower wing and 504 sq ft (46.8 m²) fuselage
- Airfoil:M-2
- Empty weight:8,137 lb (3,691 kg)
- Gross weight:14,637 lb (6,639 kg)
- Powerplant:2 ×Liberty XIIV-12 liquid cooled, 400 hp (300 kW) each
- Propellers:2-bladed, 5 ft 1.5 in (1.562 m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed:110 mph (180 km/h, 96 kn)
- Cruise speed:96 mph (154 km/h, 83 kn)
- Endurance:8 hr
- Service ceiling:14,000 ft (4,300 m)
- Rate of climb:900 ft/min (4.6 m/s)
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]
- Levy, Howard; Riding, Richard (March 1980). "Burnelli's Lifting Fuselages".Aeroplane Monthly.Vol. 8, no. 3. pp. 144–148.ISSN0143-7240.
- Munson, Kenneth (1982).U.S. commercial aircraft.Jane's. p.17.ISBN9780710601209.
- Taylor, Michel J.H. (1989).Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation.New York: Portland House House.ISBN0-517-69186-8.
- "The Remington-Burnelli" Airliner "twin-engine commercial biplane".Flight.No. 28 June 1921. p. 581.
- "AeroFiles - Burnelli aircraft".Retrieved2011-03-13.