Burnelli RB-1
Remington-Burnelli · United States · first flew 1921 · transport aircraft
The Burnelli RB-1 was a pioneering American transport aircraft of 1921 that introduced the lifting-body fuselage concept, where the broad, flat fuselage itself generates significant lift.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | lifting-body fuselage — the fuselage cross-section is the wing centre-section |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- lifting-body fuselage — the fuselage cross-section is the wing centre-section
- twin tail booms or twin fins and rudders
- two engines mounted side by side on the broad lifting fuselage
The Burnelli's broad, flat fuselage is unmistakable — it looks as though someone has glued a thick aerofoil section where a normal fuselage should be, with the engines on its leading edge. Nothing else from the era resembles it.
Specifications
- The Burnelli RB-1 has a length of 12.55 m (41 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22 m (72 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 177 km/h (110 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 pilots + up to 26 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Vincent Burnelli became convinced that a wide, aerofoil-shaped fuselage could improve lift efficiency and structural safety compared to conventional cylindrical fuselages. The RB-1 demonstrated the concept with two Liberty engines mounted on the broad fuselage's leading edge. While the idea had aerodynamic merit, it never gained mainstream acceptance, and Burnelli continued to refine the concept through the 1940s with limited success.
Variants
The RB-1 led to the RB-2, the CB-16, and later Burnelli designs (UB-14, etc.), all sharing the lifting-fuselage concept.
Where you'll see it
Limited commercial service with early US airlines; primarily significant as a testbed and demonstrator for the lifting-body fuselage concept.
Related aircraft
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