TNCA Serie B
Talleres Nacionales de Construcciones Aeronauticas · Mexico · first flew 1920 · reconnaissance aircraft
The TNCA Serie B was a single-engine reconnaissance biplane built in Mexico by Talleres Nacionales de Construcciones Aeronauticas. It was based on the structure of the TNCA Serie A.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Wide tubular fuselage that earned the nickname puro (cigar) |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Wide tubular fuselage that earned the nickname puro (cigar)
- Salmson 9-cylinder radial engine in the nose
- Rear cabin carrying a gunner with two machine guns on some aircraft
The wide tubular fuselage was the main difference from the Serie A. The aircraft could take off and land on unprepared surfaces.
Specifications
- The TNCA Serie B has a length of 7.82 m (26 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.4 m (41 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 129 km/h (80 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The prototype, registered 1-B-72, was larger than the Serie A and fitted with a Salmson 9-cylinder radial. Its first flight was on 7 December 1920.
Variants
After successful demonstrations the government authorised five more examples. Four were fitted with two Thompson 11.43 mm machine guns in the rear cabin.
Where you'll see it
The aircraft made a 2,000 km long-distance flight in January 1921. The six aircraft were operated by the Mexican Air Force at Mexicali on anti-smuggling flights.
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