Curtiss XB-2 Condor

1927


BOMBER	Virtual Aircraft Museum / USA / Curtiss

In development at the same time as the Keystone XB-1, the Curtiss XB-2 was quite similar but proved to be the superior aircraft. Like the Keystone design, the XB-2 also mounted dual Lewis guns in turrets located in the rear of the engine nacelles.

A crew of five was carried by this bomber with a performance rating that placed it far above any planes in its class. Testing of the XB-2 began in September, 1927, and though the qualities were superior to competing types, the higher cost of the B-2 resulted in a limited production order of only 12 planes in June, 1928. The first B-2 was delivered in May, 1929.

In view of the excellent performance of the Condor, it is interesting to note the biplane tail assembly used. Production B-2's were the first aircraft of the type to incorporate tail wheels instead of the skid which assisted in braking, but was also responsible for structural failures.

3-View

A three-view drawing (700 x 755)

Specification

ENGINE	2 x 630hp Curtiss Conqueror V-1570-7 engines
WEIGHTS
Take-off weight	7498 kg	16530 lb
Empty weight	4104 kg	9048 lb
DIMENSIONS
Wingspan	27.43 m	90 ft 0 in
Length	14.48 m	48 ft 6 in
Height	4.95 m	16 ft 3 in
Wing area	139.26 m²	1498.98 sq ft
PERFORMANCE
Max. speed	209 km/h	130 mph
Cruise speed	184 km/h	114 mph
Ceiling	5212 m	17100 ft
Range	1256 km	780 miles
ARMAMENT	1130kg of bombs

Comments

Ralph Ricks, e-mail, 14.11.2010 05:59

I have a pic of my late uncle George Sikes standing with another airman in front of the props. George was radio operator on the B-2, stationed at March Field in 1932. I could submit a scanned copy.

Philip K Nelson, e-mail, 01.06.2008 18:27

I remember seeing Curtis "Condor" passenger planes in regular servoce from New York To Boston. They were biplanes , blue and orange the color scheme but clearly not the B2

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