Consolidated Fleetster
Type of aircraft
Fleetster | |
---|---|
The U.S. Army's Y1C-11 in 1930 | |
Role | Light transport |
Manufacturer | Consolidated Aircraft Corporation |
First flight | 27 October 1929 [1] |
Number built | 26 |
The Consolidated Model 17 Fleetster was a 1920s American light transport monoplane aircraft built by the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation . [2]
Design and development
The Fleetster received Approved Type Certificate Number 369 on 29 September 1930. [3] It was designed to meet a requirement of the New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line (NYRBA) for an aircraft to serve the coastal routes in South America. The Fleetster had a streamlined all-metal monocoque fuselage with a wooden wing. The powerplant was a 575 hp (429 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B radial engine . It was available as a landplane or seaplane and could accommodate up to eight passengers, although the three NYRBA aircraft were fitted with two full-width seats each for three passengers.
A parasol-wing version (the Model 20 Fleetster ) was also developed with the wing supported by four short struts. The open cockpit was moved behind the passenger cabin and the resultant space was used as a cargo compartment. Three aircraft were built for NYRBA and a private Canadian customer.
In 1932 a carrier-borne dive bomber version ( Model 18 ) was evaluated by the United States Navy as the XBY-1 , it was not ordered but was the first stressed-skin aircraft, and the first aircraft with so-called " wet wing " integral fuel tanks in the wings operated by the Navy.
Variants
- Model 17-1
- Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B powered production variant for the NYRBA
- Model 17AF
- Nine-passenger version powered by a 575hp (429kW) Wright R-1820 E Cyclone radial engine. The wing had an increased span and area to give an increased maximum takeoff weight . Three planes were built for Ludington Airline , they were later purchased by Pacific Alaska Airways , [4] two of them (NC703YS, NC704Y) were resold to Soviet Union for use as Arctic rescue planes. [5] [6] [7] These two planes were used in heroic rescue of SS Chelyuskin crew in April, 1934.
- Model 17-2AC
- One aircraft powered by a 575hp (429kW) Wright R-1820E Cyclone radial engine.
- Model 18
- Two-seat carrier based bomber for US Navy with revised wing (50 ft (15.24 m) span) featuring an integral fuel tank. Fitted with an internal bomb bay capable of carrying a 1,000 lb (450 kg) bomb and powered by 600 hp (448 kW) R-1820-78 engine. One built, evaluated as XBY-1 (BuNo 8921). [8]
- Model 20-1
- Parasol-wing version of the Model 17 for the NYRBA, four built.
- Model 20-A
- Production version for the Transcontinental & Western Air was a quick-change variant for passenger or cargo work, seven built.
- C-11
- One Model 17 bought for use of the United States Assistant Secretary of War and designated Y1C-11 , later modified to Model 17-2 standards and redesignated C-11A .
- C-22
- Refined version of the Model 17 for the United States Army Air Corps , three built.
Operators
- Argentine Navy , one model 17, coded T-202
- Spanish Republican Air Force – Model 20-A
- United States Army Air Corps - three C-22
- United States Department of War - one Y1C-11, later converted to C-11A
Specifications (Model 17)
Data from General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors [9]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Capacity: eight passengers
- Length: 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m)
- Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m)
- Height: 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m)
- Wing area: 313.5 sq ft (29.12 m 2 )
- Empty weight: 3,326 lb (1,512 kg)
- Gross weight: 5,600 lb (2,545 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B radial piston engine , 575 hp (429 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 180 mph (290 km/h, 160 kn)
- Cruise speed: 153 mph (246 km/h, 133 kn)
- Range: 675 mi (1,086 km, 587 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,485 m)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
References
- ↑ Wegg 1990, p.61.
-
↑
Aeronautics
: 17. January 1930.
{{ cite journal }}
: Missing or empty| title=
( help ) - ↑ Joseph P. Juptner. U.S. civil aircraft, Volume 4 . p. 216.
- ↑ "Pacific Alaska Airways Consolidated Fleetster" . Edcoatescollection.com. 1933-09-03 . Retrieved 2022-05-25 .
- ↑ Davies, Ed; Ellis, Steve (2009). Seattle's Commercial Aviation 1908–1941 . Arcadia Publishing. p. 108. ISBN 978-0-7385-7101-0 .
- ↑ "Consolidated" .
- ↑ "Consolidated 17-AF Fleetster" .
- ↑ Wegg 1990, p. 63.
- ↑ Wegg 1990, p.64.
- Andrade, John. U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 , Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0-904597-22-9 (Page 171)
- Wegg, John. General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors . London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-833-X .
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982–1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing
External links
Consolidated
aircraft
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