Sikorsky XBLR-3 explained

The Sikorsky XBLR-3 was an experimental bomber design developed by Sikorsky Aircraft to compete in the United States Army Air Corps "Project D" design competition of 1935.[1] [2] In March 1936 the USAAC canceled the Sikorsky XBLR-3 in favor of the remaining two competitors: the Boeing XBLR-1 (Later XB-15) and the Douglas XBLR-2 (Later XB-19). The XBLR-3 was one of the last fixed wing aircraft designed by the Sikorsky company.

Design and development

The Sikorsky XBLR-3 was powered four 1600 hp 24 cylinder Allison V-3420 engine driving one 4.57m diameter metal adjustable propeller each. The Allison V-3420 engine was specified for all three entries in the 1935 "Project D" competition.

Details of the Sikorsky XBLR-3's armament are not known, however a rotating dorsally-mounted Ball turret was included in the preliminary wooden model, and bombs of unknown parameters can be assumed to be included in the design perimeters.

Specifications

Size

Span: 62.45m (204.9 ft)

Length: 36.58m (120 ft)

Height: 10.67m (35 ft)

Mass

Takeoff Weight: 54,422Kg (120,000 lb.)

Performance

Top Speed: 355 km/h (221 mph / 192 knots)

Cruising Speed: 205km/h (127 mph / 111 knots)

Maximum Range: 12,312km (7,652 mi. / 6,648 nm)

Flight Endurance: 62 hours

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2011-09-27 . Sikorsky XBLR-3 . 2023-05-21 . 2011-09-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110927083810/http://www.samoloty.ow.pl/str344.htm . dead .
  2. Book: Jones, Lloyd S. . U.S. Bombers B-1 1928 to B-1 1980's . . 1974 . 9780816891269 . 2nd . Fallbrook, Ca . 59–61 . English.