Hall XPTBH
Hall Aluminum Aircraft Corporation · United States · first flew 1937 · bomber
The Hall XPTBH was a prototype American twin-engined seaplane torpedo-bomber submitted to the US Navy by the Hall Aluminum Aircraft Corporation. It was built with extensive use of aluminium.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.04 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engined monoplane seaplane on two large floats
- High-mounted wing with a Pratt & Whitney radial engine on each side
- Large single tail fin with enlarged rudder
Look for a twin-engined high-wing seaplane with two large floats and a single tail fin.
Specifications
- The Hall XPTBH has a length of 17.04 m (56 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 24.18 m (79 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 293 km/h (182 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
It was submitted in response to a 1934 Navy specification for scout and torpedo bombers, and was the only seaplane design among ten submitted by eight companies. The Navy ordered one prototype on 30 June 1934. The design was redesigned smaller, and the planned Wright Cyclone engines were changed to a pair of 800 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1830s. It first flew in February 1937.
Variants
Only one was built. A modification to increase the area of the rudder solved a handling problem. It was the only aircraft to receive three mission-type letters under the Navy designation system of 1922 to 1962.
Where you'll see it
The XPTBH was successful in flight testing but failed to win favour with the Navy, and no production contract was awarded. The single aircraft served in experimental duties and was destroyed in a hurricane on 21 September 1938.
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