XB-39 Superfortress

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The Boeing XB-39 was a prototype bomber aircraft, a single example of the B-29 Superfortress converted to fly with alternative powerplants. It was intended to demonstrate that the B-29 could still be put into service even if the first choice of engine, the Wright R-3350, ran into development or production difficulties.

Starting life as the first YB-29 delivered to the USAAF, it was modified by General Motors to use Allison V-3420–17 liquid-cooled inline engines. Testing on it began in early 1944. Since no problems with the R-3350 developed, and most flaws of the B-29 were worked out by the time production began, the XB-39 was never ordered.

Specifications (XB-39)

General characteristics

Crew: 10: pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer, bombardier, navigator, radio operator, side gunners (two), top gunner, and tail gunner
Length: 99 ft 0 in (30.18 m)
Wingspan: 141 ft 3 in (43.05 m)
Height: 27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)
Wing area: 1736 ft² (161.3 m²)
Empty: 74,500 lb (33,793 kg)
Loaded: 120,000 lb (54,432 kg)
Maximum takeoff: 133,500 lb (60,560 kg)
Powerplant: 4× Allison V-3420–11 Vee engines, 2,100 hp (1,567 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 405 mph (648 km/h)
Range: 6,290 miles (10,064 km)
Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,671 m)
Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
Wing loading: 69.12 lb/ft² (337.46 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.073 hp/lb (121 W/kg)

Armament

8× .50 in M2 machine guns in remote controlled turrets; 2× .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in manual turrets; 1× 20 mm M2 cannon in tail
20,000 lb (9,072 kg) of bombs

External links

XB-39 on USAF Museum site