Consolidated Fleetster

Fleetster
Type	Light transport
Manufacturer	Consolidated Aircraft Corporation

The Consolidated Model 17 Fleetster was a 1920s American light transport monoplane aircraft built by the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation.

Development

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. Consolidated designed the Model 17 Fleetster. The Fleestster 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 to behind the passenger cabin and the space 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 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-1820E Cyclone radial engine, three built for Luddington Airline. The wing had an increased spand and area to give an increased maximum take-off weight.

Model 17-2AC

One aircraft powered by a 575hp (429kW) Wright R-1820E Cyclone radial engine.

Model 18

A carrier-borne dive bomber version evaluated by the United States Navy as the XBY-1, one built.

Model 20-1

Parasol-wing version of the Model 17 for the NYRBA, 4 built.

Model 20-A

Production version for the Transcontinental & Western Air was a quick-change variant for passenger or cargo work, seven built.

XBY-1

US Navy designation for one Model 18 dive bomber for evaluation.

C-11

One Model 17 bought for use of the United States Assistant Secretary of War, later modified to Model 17-2 standards and re-designated C-11A.

C-22

Refined version of the Model 17 for the United States Army Air Corps, three built.

References

• John Andrade, U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909, Midland Counties Publications, 1979, ISBN 0 904597 22 9 (Page 171)
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985), 1985, Orbis Publishing

See also

Related lists

• list of military aircraft of the United States

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Consolidated Fleetster".