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Boeing F2B (Model 69)


Carrier-Based Biplane Fighter


United States | 1928



"In all, some 33 of the Boeing F2B type were constructed including its sole prototype example."

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Boeing F2B-1 Carrier-Based Biplane Fighter.
1 x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-8 Wasp air-cooled radial piston engine developing 425 horsepower.
Propulsion
158 mph
255 kph | 138 kts
Max Speed
21,506 ft
6,555 m | 4 miles
Service Ceiling
311 miles
500 km | 270 nm
Operational Range
1,890 ft/min
576 m/min
Rate-of-Climb
Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Boeing F2B-1 Carrier-Based Biplane Fighter.
1
(MANNED)
Crew
22.9 ft
6.98 m
O/A Length
30.1 ft
(9.17 m)
O/A Width
9.2 ft
(2.81 m)
O/A Height
1,984 lb
(900 kg)
Empty Weight
2,811 lb
(1,275 kg)
MTOW
Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Boeing F2B (Model 69) Carrier-Based Biplane Fighter .
STANDARD:
1 x 0.50 caliber Browning M2 heavy machine gun AND 1 x 0.30 caliber Browning M1919 medium machine gun OR 2 x 0.50 caliber Browning M2 heavy machine guns.

OPTIONAL:
5 x 25lb conventional drop bombs under the lower wing assembly.
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Boeing F2B (Model 69) family line.
XF2B-1 - Single prototype model
F2B-1 - Production model designation for United States Navy.
Model 69B - Export model based on F2B-1; two examples, one delivered to Brazil and the other to Japan.
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 02/13/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Boeing F2B biplane fighter served the United States Navy in a carrier-based fighter role. It was produced in over two dozen examples and did not see service beyond the United States. Developed from the Boeing PW-9, the F2B was a sound, dual-role fighter that provided a capable solution to the American carrier wings throughout the 1920s. This aircraft also proved the mount of choice for the U.S. Navy's "Three Sea Hawks" aerobatic team which typically tied its three F2B biplanes together for close formation flying - the group became known as the "Suicide Trio" for obvious reasons.

Origins of the F2B lay in testing done on a single ("one-off") experimental offshoot of the Boeing PW-9 fighter. The experiment was designated "FB-6" and known by Boeing as "Model 54". From this came the Boeing "XP-8" (Model 66) which was eventually tested (and passed on) by the U.S. Army and developed into a suitable design for the U.S. Navy. The PW-9 airframe was mated to a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-B "Wasp" series radial engine of 450 horsepower which promised the line improved performance over the original. When the U.S. Navy need arose for a new modern biplane fighter, the Model 69 arrived to fulfill just that role. The biplane wing arrangement was retained as was the twin-wheeled undercarriage with tailskid. The pilot sat under and slightly behind the upper main wing assembly in the typical open-air cockpit of the period with the engine ahead in the forward fuselage. While a spinner was added to the engine's frontal face in the prototype, this feature was dropped on the production models that followed. Standard armament became 2 x 0.30 caliber machine guns fitted over the engine and synchronized to fire through the spinning propeller blades though this could also be replaced by a combination 1 x .30 caliber and 1 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine gun arrangement for additional punch. The lower wing assembly was also wired for the carrying, and delivery, of conventional drop ordnance. In this fashion, the Model 69 could serve double-duty as fighter and fighter-bomber aboard U.S. carriers.

First flight of the Model 69 (as the U.S. Navy prototype "XF2B-1") was on November 3rd, 1926. Following the requisite period of testing, the aircraft was formally introduced by the U.S. Navy as the Boeing "F2B" on January 20th, 1928. The initial order was for 32 first-batch aircraft to be designation "F2B-1" and operational service began aboard the deck of the USS Saratoga (CV-3) - a soon-to-be World War 2 veteran.

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In practice, the F2B was a very solid design and capable carrier-based fighter for its time, possessing the required agility and power. In the finalized configuration of the aircraft, the fighter was capable of reaching speeds near 160 miles per hour and cruised at around 130 miles per hour. Range was a handy 315 miles which was a key quality for aircraft usually called to operate far from land-bases for refueling and rearming. Its service ceiling peaked at 21,500 feet and rate-of-climb was 1,900 feet per second. Weights included 2,000lbs when empty and 2,800 under its Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW). The Pratt & Whitney R-1340-8 Wasp radial piston engine developed 425 horsepower, providing the necessary thrust to propel the F2B from carrier decks. Browning M2 heavy and M1919 medium machine guns made up its standard fighter armament while 5 x 25lb bombs could be slung under the lower wing section for strike sorties.

Boeing also developed the Model 69B of which two were produced and one each sent to the nations of Brazil and Japan for evaluation. However, the type was not taken up by either country. Additionally, the United States Navy did not order any more F2B fighters beyond its original stock order for 32 aircraft.

Such ended the story for this Boeing carrier-based fighter. Including the single prototype, 33 aircraft of the line were completed.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Boeing F2B (Model 69). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 33 Units

Contractor(s): Boeing - USA
National flag of Brazil National flag of modern Japan National flag of the United States

[ Brazil (1); Japan (1); United States ]
1 / 1
Image of the Boeing F2B (Model 69)

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