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Convair XB-53
| Convair XB-53 | |
|---|---|
| An artists conception of the Convair XB-53. Drawn by Rod of Isphpening, Michigan for the Aviation Enthusiast's Corner. | |
| Type | Attack aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Convair |
| Maiden flight | n/a |
| Status | Cancelled in 1949 |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Number built | 0 |
The Convair XB-53 was a stillborn jet bomber project by Convair for the United States Army Air Force. Originally, it was designated XA-44 in 1945 under the old "attack" category. An unusual forward-swept wing-design powered by three J35 turbojets, the project was developed in parallel with Convair's XB-46. It would have a German-derived wing with a 30° forward sweep and 8° dihedral. It looked promising enough at one point for the Army Air Force to consider cancelling the XB-46 in favor of the XA-44 since there was not enough funding for both. Convair argued for completion of the XB-46 prototype as a flying testbed and substitution of two XA-44s for the other two B-46 airframes on contract. The Air Force ratified this in June 1946 but the project did not progress, nor were additional B-46s built. The XA-44 was redesignated XB-53 in 1948 when the "attack" category was dropped, but the project was cancelled before the two prototypes were completed. The XA-44 program was reinstated in February 1949 but only for a short while.
Specifications (as designed)
This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.General characteristics
- Crew: 4
- Length: 79 ft 6 in (24.2 m)
- Wingspan: 80 ft 7 in (24.6 m)
- Height: 23 ft 8 in (7.22 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 60,000 lb (27,000 kg)
- Powerplant: 3× General Electric J35 turbojets, 4,000 lbf (18 kN) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 580 mph (500 knots, 930 km/h)
- Range: 2,000 mi (1,700 nm, 3,200 km)
- Service ceiling: 44,000 ft (13,400 m)
Armament
- Bombs: 12,000 lb (5,400 kg)
References
- Andrade, John M. (1979). U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester: Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
- Knaack, Marcelle Size (1988). Encyclopedia of U.S. Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems, Volume II - Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973. Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History, USAF. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
External links
- Convair XB-53, from USAF Museum
- Convair XB-53, from "Aviation Enthusiast Corner" (has drawing at bottom of page)
Related content
Designation sequence
- A- series: A-41 - XA-42 - XA-43 - XA-44 - XA-45
- B- series: B-50 - XB-51 - B-52 - XB-53 - B-54 - XB-55 - B-56
Related lists
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Convair XB-53". |
