Boeing XPB
Boeing · United States · first flew 1925 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Boeing XPB (company Model 50) was an American twin-engined biplane long-range patrol flying boat of the 1920s. A single example was built for the United States Navy.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Two engines mounted in tandem between the wings above the fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-bay biplane flying boat with a streamlined hull
- Two engines mounted in tandem between the wings above the fuselage
- Metal wings with wooden wingtips and leading edges
A very streamlined two-bay biplane flying boat for its time, with two engines driving four-bladed propellers mounted one behind the other above the hull.
Specifications
- The Boeing XPB has a length of 18.1 m (59 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 26.67 m (87 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 180 km/h (112 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
In September 1924 the Naval Aircraft Factory was tasked with designing a flying boat able to cover the 2,400 mi (3,860 km) between San Francisco and Hawaii. Isaac Laddon carried out the initial design, and Boeing completed the detailed design and construction.
Variants
The XPB-1 was fitted with two 800 hp Packard 2A-2500 V12 engines. In 1928 the Naval Aircraft Factory replaced them with two 500 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet radials, giving the XPB-2.
Where you'll see it
The XPB-1 made its maiden flight in August 1925. It was meant to lead two Naval Aircraft Factory PN-9s on an attempt to fly to Hawaii on 31 August 1925, but engine trouble cancelled its participation.
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