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Vultee V-11

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(Redirected fromVultee A-19)
V-11/V-12
General information
TypeGround attack
ManufacturerVultee
Designer
Statusretired
Primary usersRepublic of China Air Force
Number built175+[2][notes 1]
History
Manufactured1935–1940[3]
Introduction date1937
First flight17 September 1935[4]
Developed fromVultee V-1
Vultee V-11GB prototype NR-17327

TheVultee V-11andV-12wereAmericanstressed-skinmonocoquemonoplaneattack aircraftof the 1930s. Developed from theVultee V-1single-engined airliner, the V-11 and V-12 were purchased by several nations for their armed forces, includingChina,who used them in combat againstJapaneseforces in theSecond Sino-Japanese War.TheUnited States Army Air Corpspurchased seven V-11s as theYA-19in the years beforeWorld War II,testing them to gather data to compare against twin engine light attack aircraft.

Design and development

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In 1935,Vulteeproduced a light bomber derivative of their single-engined passenger transport, theVultee V-1,which, while demonstrating good performance, was only sold in small numbers owing to restrictions placed on the use of single-engined aircraft for scheduled passenger transport operations.[5]

The resulting aircraft, the Vultee V-11, retained the single-engined, low wing format and all-metal stressed skin structure of the V-1. It combined a new fuselage with accommodation for the three crew members under a long greenhouse canopy with the wings and tail surfaces of the Vultee V-1.[6]

According to Jonathan Thompson, "Based on the V-1A, the V-11 was a modern, fast and effective military airplane when it appeared in 1935; during the next three years 102 V-11s in six variations were sold to four countries - the Soviet Union, China, Turkey and Brazil - before the Air Corps took seven A-19s. An improved version known as the AB-2 (Attack bomber, 2nd type) and later as the V-12, was tested in 1938 and provided the basis for further sales to China, bringing the total V-11 models and derivatives, including those built under license, to an estimated 225."[7]

Duplicate emergency flying controls were provided for the observer/dorsal gunner in the V-11GB. According to Thompson, "Below his seat is the retractable bombardier's hatch; he lay prone, facing forward for the bomb run or rearward to use the ventral gun."[7]

Operational history

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China

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Camouflaged Chinese Vultee V-11-G

An initial order for 30 two-seat V-11Gs was placed byChinabefore the end of 1935. This was followed in 1939 by orders for two versions (the V-12-C and V-12D) of the more powerful V-12 variant. The majority of these were planned to be assembled from kits at theCentral Aircraft Manufacturing Companyfactory atLoiwingnear the China-Burmaborder,[8]and while the first batch of 25 V-12-Cs were completed successfully, the factory was heavily bombed just after assembly of the first V-12-Ds commenced. This resulted in the part built airframes being evacuated toIndia,where it was planned that the aircraft be completed at theHindustan Aircraft Limitedfactory inBangalore.However, after a few were assembled, production was stopped as the factory was diverted to more urgent overhaul work.[9]

The V-11s and V-12s served as light bombers and achieved some success, including a mission by 4 aircraft to bomb the Japanese held airfield atYunchengon February 5, 1939, by the 10th Squadron of the Republic of China Air Force, before the aircraft were withdrawn from bombing missions to training and liaison duties in 1940.[10]

Brazil

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Brazilian Vultee V-11-GB2 landing

In February 1939, theBrazilian Army Air Corpsacquired the first 10 Vultee V-11–GB2s for long range bombing. 26 aircraft were eventually used by the Brazilian Air Force.

A 3,250 km (2,020 mi) non-stop flight was made across the Brazilian hinterland in 11 hours and 45 min on 8 November 1939 using a V-11.

On 26 August 1942, aU-boatwas attacked 50 miles off the town ofAraranguaoff the southern coast of Brazil. Despite the unsuitability for anti submarine operations, the aircraft flew low and dropped its load of three 250 lb (110 kg) bombs, some of which exploded around the submarine, however the blast damaged the low flying aircraft.

Soviet Union

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Aeroflot Vultee PS-43

In 1936, theSoviet Unionpurchased four three-seat V-11-GB aircraft, together with a production license. The aircraft entered Soviet production in 1937 as the BSh-1 (Bronirovanny Shturmovik), but the armour fitted for the ground attack role unacceptably reduced performance and production was stopped after 31 aircraft. They were transferred toAeroflotand redesignated PS-43 for use as high speed transports until theGerman invasionin 1941, when they were returned to theAir Forcefor liaison purposes.[11]

United States

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Vultee YA-19 of the 17th Attack Group atMarch Field,California in 1939

In the late 1930s, theUnited States Army Air Corpsfavored twin-engine light attack aircraft but seven YA-19 aircraft were ordered in the summer of 1938 for comparison purposes. The YA-19s were armed with six.30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns and 1,080 lb (490 kg) bombs in an internal bomb bay, powered by a 1,200 hp (890 kW) Twin Wasp radial engine and was manned by a crew of three including a pilot, observer/gunner, and bombardier/photographer.

An unusual feature of the YA-19 design was its horizontal stabiliser which was located forward of the vertical tail. The small size of the vertical stabilizer caused yaw instability so the last YA-19 (S/N 38-555) was equipped with enlarged vertical stabilizer.

Service tests showed that twin-engine attack aircraft were faster, could be better armed and carried a larger bomb load so no further YA-19s were ordered. After comparison tests five YA-19s were redesignated A-19 and assigned to the 17th Attack Group at March Field in California for a brief period before being transferred to thePanama Canal Zonefor utility transport and liaison duties. The A-19 never saw combat and was quickly withdrawn in the early 1940s.

Variants

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Vultee Designations

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V-11
First prototype fitted with 750 hp (560 kW)Wright SR-1820-F53 Cyclonedriving a two-bladedHamilton Standardcontrollable-pitch propeller, which crashed killing both pilot and the project engineer.[4]
V-11-A
Second prototype, similar to first V-11, but with a three-bladed constant speed propeller.
Vultee V-12 prototype
Vultee V-12-D prototype
V-11-G
Initial production two-seat light bomber. Powered by an 850 hp (630 kW)Wright R-1820-G2 Cycloneengine. 30 built for China.[12]
V-11-GB
Three-seat version of V-11. 4 aircraft purchased by Soviet Union (2 as pattern aircraft), 40 byTurkeyand others.[13]
V-11-GB2
26 purchased byBrazil– generally similar to V-11-GB[13]
V11-GB2F
Final example for Brazil fitted with floats, however it wasn't accepted.[13]
V-11-GBT
redesignation of V-11-GB forTurkey
V-12
Revised version of three-seat bomber with refined aerodynamics and more power. One prototype flew in 1939 powered byPratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Waspengine.
V-12-C
Production version of V-12 for China. Powered by R1820-G105B Cyclone engine. 26 built, one by Vultee and remaining 25 assembled in China.
V-12-D
Revised version with new fuselage and powered by 1,600 hp (1,200 kW)Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14engine. 52 ordered for China, two pattern aircraft built by Vultee and 50 for local assembly.
V-52
Unbuilt observation design based on YA-19.

USAAC Designations

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Vultee YA-19A powered byLycoming O-1230engine
YA-19
Variant of V-11-GB for United states Army Air Corps. Seven examples built.
YA-19A
The last YA-19 was redesignated and completed as an engine test bed. Equipped with enlarged vertical stabilizer (for improve directional stability) and powered byLycoming O-1230(12-cylinder opposed) engine.
YA-19B
The second YA-19 built was redesignated after being fitted with aPratt & Whitney R-2800radial engineas an engine test bed.
YA-19C
The YA-19A was redesignated after being fitted with aPratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-1830-51engine. Performance was similar to the YA-19.
A-19
The remaining five YA-19s were redesignated A-19 after assignment to active duty.

Soviet Designations

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BSh-1
Soviet licensed armoured ground attack version. Powered by 920 hp (690 kW)M-62.Production stopped after at least 31 built.[13]
PS-43
Designation for BSh-1 when used by Aeroflot as light transport.[13]

Operators

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Turkish V-11-GB
Brazil
Brazilian Army Aviation– Vultee V-11-GB2 (25 delivered)[13]
Brazilian Air Force- aircraft transferred when Air Force created
Republic of China
Soviet Union
Soviet Air Forces– Vultee V-11GB (4 delivered) & BSh-1 (31-35 built at Moscow Menzhinskii factory)[13]
Turkey
United States
United States Army Air Corps– A-19/V-11GB (7 delivered)[13]

Specifications (Vultee XA-19)

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Vultee V-11 drawing
Vultee V-11 drawing

Data fromU.S. Experimental & Prototype Aircraft Projects[15]

General characteristics

Performance

  • Maximum speed:230 mph (370 km/h, 200 kn) at 6,500 ft (2,000 m)
  • Cruise speed:207 mph (333 km/h, 180 kn)
  • Minimum control speed:80 mph (130 km/h, 70 kn)
  • Range:1,110 mi (1,790 km, 960 nmi) with 1,080 lb (490 kg) of bombs
  • Ferry range:1,350 mi (2,170 km, 1,170 nmi)
  • Service ceiling:20,500 ft (6,200 m)
  • Rate of climb:1,320 ft/min (6.7 m/s)

Armament

  • Guns:
    • 4 x forward-firing.30 in (7.62 mm)machine gunsin wings
    • 1 x dorsal.30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun
    • 1 x ventral.30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun
  • Bombs:6 x 30 lb (14 kg) in cells semi-recessed in wing center section and 1,100 lb (500 kg) externally

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related toVultee V-11.

Notes

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  1. ^plus as many as 4 more in Russia, and as many as 45 additional airframes that were delivered as parts sets but probably not assembled in China, for a maximum of 224.

Citations

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  1. ^Baugher 2000
  2. ^Wegg 1990,pp. 168
  3. ^Wegg 1990,pp. 155–157
  4. ^abcWegg 1990,p. 155
  5. ^Green and SwanboroughAir EnthusiastJuly 1974,p. 29
  6. ^Green and SwanboroughAir EnthusiastJuly 1974,p. 32
  7. ^abThompson, Jonathan.Vultee Aircraft 1932-1947.Santa Ana: Narkiewicz//Thompson. pp. 20–47.ISBN0913322024.
  8. ^Green and SwanboroughAir EnthusiastJuly 1974,p. 39
  9. ^Green and SwanboroughAir EnthusiastJuly 1974,p. 42
  10. ^Gustavsson, Hakans."Håkans Aviation page – Sino-Japanese Air War 1939".Biplane Fighter Aces - China.Retrieved2020-11-19.05 February 1939. Four Vultees of the 10th BS attacked Yuncheng airfield and dropped 1120 kg of bombs. They returned claiming 10 aircraft destroyed on the ground.
  11. ^Green and SwanboroughAir EnthusiastJuly 1974,p. 38
  12. ^Wegg 1990,pp. 155–156
  13. ^abcdefghiWegg 1990,p. 156
  14. ^abWegg 1990,p. 157
  15. ^Norton 2008,p. 182
  16. ^LednicerThe Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage2010

Bibliography

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