PB2Y Coronado

Consolidated PB2Y Coronado

November 20, 2022 PE Matt 0

With the first versions of the PBY Catalina beginning to be supplied to the Navy in 1935, attention turned to potential successor machines with better performance. Both Sikorsky and Consolidated were solicited for proposals, and […]

Sikorsky XPBS-1

Sikorsky XPBS

November 14, 2021 PE Matt 0

As the US Navy was beginning to receive the first prototypes of the aircraft that would become the PBY Catalina, it simultaneously began to solicit proposals for the eventual replacement of this flying boat. The […]

Vought SB2U Vindicator

Vought SB2U Vindicator

May 23, 2018 PE Matt 0

In 1934 the US Navy invited bids for a new carrier-based scout bomber, and received no less than six competing designs. Four of these would be ordered into production – Curtiss’ upgraded SBC-3 biplane, the […]

Grumman TBF Avenger

December 19, 2017 PE Matt 3

In March 1939, the US Navy requested design proposals for a new carrier based torpedo bomber to replace the Douglas TBD in the fleet. The requirements for the new aircraft included a desired top speed […]

Curtiss SBC Helldiver

March 22, 2017 PE Matt 0

The Curtiss SBC was derived from the prototype XF12C fighter, which was a monoplane with a high mounted parasol wing. This design proved to be extremely flawed when the mission of the XF12C was changed […]

North American B-25 Mitchell

February 26, 2017 PE Matt 0

In 1937, the US Army Air Corps began to look for a new twin-engine attack bomber to replace the single-engine types it had on hand. The USAAC solicited for several designs, three of which ended […]

Douglas SBD Dauntless

May 25, 2016 PE Matt 0

In 1934 the US Navy ran several design competitions for new aircraft, among them one for a two-seat scout bomber. The entrants were the Brewster XSBA, the Vought XSB2U and the Northrop XBT, which eventually […]

Grumman J2F Duck

May 18, 2016 PE Matt 0

The Grumman J2F had its origins in the earlier Grumman JF, which had been put forward as one of the first aircraft in the new “utility” type designation. Based on a design by the engineer […]

Lockheed A-29 Hudson

October 27, 2015 PE Matt 0

The Lockheed Hudson was a medium bomber, built in the United States but primarily operated by British and Commonwealth air forces. It was based on the company’s successful Model 14 airliner, called the ‘Super Electra’ […]

Brewster F2A Buffalo

October 21, 2015 PE Matt 2

The Brewster F2A Buffalo was a much-exported fighter aircraft designed for the US Navy but most famously flying in Finnish, Dutch and British service. Designed to replace the Grumman F3F biplane, the F2A beat off […]

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