Douglas 1211-J
| Douglas Model 1211-J | |
|---|---|
| Role | Heavy bomber |
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Status | Design only |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
|
| |
The Douglas 1211-J was a bomber aircraft design developed by American aircraft manufacturer Douglas to compete with the Boeing B-52 design for a major U.S. Air Force contract between 1946 and 1954. The Model 1211-J design was 160 feet long with a wingspan of 227 feet, and was powered by four turboprop engines. The aircraft was designed around a new 43,000-pound conventional bomb but could carry nuclear weapons as well. It could also carry its own fighter escorts, as parasites under its wings. These fighters' jet engines were to be powered up to assist the carrier bomber during takeoff; refueling of the fighters was to take place while they were stowed on the mothership's underwing pylons.[1]
Specifications[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 9
- Length: 160 ft 6 in (48.92 m)
- Wingspan: 227 ft 6 in (69.34 m)
- Height: ()
- Loaded weight: 322,000 lb (146,060 kg)
- Powerplant: 4 × Pratt & Whitney T57 turboprop, 15,000 shp () each
Performance (estimated)
- Maximum speed: 518 mph (833 km/h)
- Range: 12,658 miles (20,372 km)
- Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,240 m)
Armament
- Guns:
- 2× 0.787 in (20 mm) defensive cannon
- Bombs:
- 4x 2,000 lb (907 kg) bombs
- 2x TV bombs
References
- ↑ Aldaz, John; Cox, George (January 2010). "The Do Everything Bomber". Air & Space magazine. Retrieved Nov 20, 2012.
- ↑ Butler, Tony (2010). American Secret Projects. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85780-331-0.
Further reading
- "Science: Bombers". Time Magazine. February 26, 1951. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
- Marson, Peter J. "Douglas 1211-J". Retrieved November 24, 2012.
- Zichek, Jared A. (May 10, 2011). "The B-52 Competition of 1946...and Dark Horses from Douglas, 1947-1950". American Aerospace Archive. MagCloud (3). ISSN 1943-9636.