Keystone B-6
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In 1931, the United States Army Air Corps received five working models (Y1B-6s) of the B-6 bomber. (The Y1B- designation, as opposed to a YB- designation, indicates funding outside normal fiscal year procurement). Two of these were diverted from an order of LB-13s; three were modified B-3As. The performance of the Y1B-6s was very similar to that of the Keystone B-4s, due to an engine of equivalent power.
The production model, called the B-6A, was the last biplane bomber purchased by the Army. The performance of the B-6A varied little from the Martin NBS-1 ordered in 1921. Its successor, the monoplane bomber, had a hard time getting accepted. The Douglas Y1B-7 and Fokker XB-8 were originally designed as high-speed reconnaissance planes.
Specifications (B-6A)
General characteristics
- Crew: 5
- Length: 48 ft 10 in (14.9 m)
- Wingspan: 74 ft 8 in (22.8 m)
- Height: 15 ft 9 in (4.8 m)
- Wing area: 1,145 ft² (106.4 m²)
- Empty: 8,057 lb (3,665 kg)
- Loaded: 13,350 lb (6,056 kg)
- Maximum takeoff: lb ( kg)
- Powerplant: 2× Wright R-1820-1 of 575 hp (429 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 120 mph (193 km/h)
- Cruising speed: 103 mph (166 km/h)
- Range: 825 miles (1,330 km)
- Service ceiling: 14,100 ft (6,400 m)
- Wing loading: 11.66 lb/ft² (56.92 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.0861 hp/lb (142 W/kg)
Armament
- Guns: 3 × .30 calibre (7.62 mm) Browning machine guns
- Bombs: 2,500 lb (1,100 kg); 4,000 lb (1,800 kg) on short runs
External links
- USAF Museum article on B-6 (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b1-49.htm)
- USAF Museum article on LB-13 (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b1-33.htm)
Related Content
Related development: Keystone B-3 - Keystone B-4 - Keystone B-5
Comparable aircraft: Keystone B-3 - Keystone B-4 - Keystone B-5
Designation sequence: B-3 - B-4 - B-5 - B-6 - Y1B-7 - XB-8 - Y1B-9
Related Lists: List of military aircraft of the United States - List of bomber aircraft
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