Wright XF3W Apache
| XF3W | |
|---|---|
| |
| Wright XF3W Apache | |
| Role | Racer |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Wright Aeronautical |
| First flight | 5 May 1926[1] |
| Number built | 1 |
The Wright XF3W was an American racing aircraft built by Wright Aeronautical for the United States Navy.
Development and design
[edit]After the U.S. Navy declared its preference for radial engines, Wright developed the P-1 Simoon. To demonstrate the engine, the F3W was designed to carry it. The F3W was a single-seat biplane, with a steel tubing fuselage and wood wings, covered by fabric. Designed to be a carrier-based fighter and powered by the Simoon engine, its performance was poor. After the Navy took delivery of the aircraft, they installed a rival company's engine, the Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial. The aircraft was redesignated XF3W, and flew with the new engine for the first time on 5 May 1926.[1]
Operational history
[edit]The Navy used the XF3W as a test bed for the Pratt & Whitney engine until 1930, during which time the aircraft set a number of records. On 6 September 1929, the XF3W piloted by Apollo Soucek set the world altitude record for seaplanes of 38,500 ft (11,700 m); on 6 April 1930, Soucek set the landplane altitude record of 43,166 ft (13,157 m).[1] The XF3W was also fitted with a single centreline float to evaluate the concept of basing floatplanes on battleships.[2]
Specifications
[edit]
Data from Angelucci, 1987. p. 462.[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 22 ft 1 in (6.73 m)
- Wingspan: 27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)
- Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)
- Wing area: 215 sq ft (19.97 m2)
- Empty weight: 1,414 lb (641 kg)
- Gross weight: 2,128 lb (965 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-B , 450 hp (336 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 162 mph (261 km/h, 141 kn)
- Service ceiling: 38,560 ft (11,753 m)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Angelucci, Enzo (1987). The American Fighter from 1917 to the present. New York: Orion Books. p. 462. ISBN 0-517-56588-9.
- ^ Johnson, E.R (2011). United States Naval Aviation, 1919–1941: Aircraft, Airships and Ships Between the Wars. United States: McFarland Publishing. p. 353. ISBN 9780786445509.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Wright XF3W Apache at Wikimedia Commons