Convair XB-46

Convair · United States · first flew 1947 · bomber

The Convair XB-46 was a single prototype American jet bomber of the late 1940s, competing against the Boeing XB-47 and Martin XB-48. It featured a very thin straight wing with four turbojets mounted in paired underwing nacelles.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	4 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	Early American jet bomber prototype with four engines paired in twin fuselage nacelles
T — Tail	Conventional

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Early American jet bomber prototype with four engines paired in twin fuselage nacelles
Exceptionally thin straight wing with paired jet engines in long underwing nacelles
Narrow bicycle undercarriage with outrigger stabiliser wheels

Identified by its extremely thin, straight, mid-mounted wing, four turbojets in two tandem pairs within long nacelles under the wing, and a conventional tall tail. The bicycle undercarriage with outriggers is also characteristic.

Specifications

The Convair XB-46 has a length of 32.23 m (106 ft).
It has a wingspan of 34.44 m (113 ft).
Its maximum speed is 877 km/h (545 mph).
Typical crew: 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Ordered in 1944 along with several competing designs, the XB-46 first flew in April 1947. While aerodynamically clean, its performance was inferior to the swept-wing Boeing B-47 Stratojet, which was selected for production. The XB-46 prototype was used briefly for testing before being scrapped.

Variants

Only one prototype was built.

Where you'll see it

Never entered service. The single prototype conducted test flights at Muroc (now Edwards) Air Force Base before programme cancellation.

Related aircraft

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