Keystone LB-6
Keystone Aircraft · United States · first flew 1927 · bomber
The Keystone LB-6 was a twin-engine biplane heavy bomber that served as the primary US Army Air Corps heavy bomber in the late 1920s and early 1930s, representing the state of the art in American strategic bombing capability during the interwar period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.83 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1920s US Army twin-engine biplane heavy bomber
- Open cockpits with twin radial engines between the wings
- Fabric-covered biplane structure with fixed undercarriage
A large biplane with two radial engines mounted between the wings on struts, a long fixed undercarriage with large wheels, open crew positions, and the fabric-covered wooden and metal structure typical of late 1920s American military aircraft.
Specifications
- The Keystone LB-6 has a length of 14.83 m (49 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 27.74 m (91 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 188 km/h (117 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Keystone Aircraft, based in Bristol, Pennsylvania, produced a series of twin-engine biplane bombers throughout the late 1920s, of which the LB-series were the most numerous. The LB-6 served with USAAC bomber groups as the Service's standard heavy bomber until replaced by the Boeing B-9 and Martin B-10 monoplanes. Over 120 Keystone bombers of various marks were built.
Variants
The Keystone LB family included the LB-5, LB-6, LB-7, B-3A, B-4A, B-5A, and B-6A; all were closely related biplane bombers differing in engine type and structural detail.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the United States Army Air Corps from the late 1920s until the mid-1930s when obsolescence forced retirement.
Related aircraft
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