Hall XP2H

The Hall XP2H-1 was an American prototype four-engined biplane flying boat of the 1930s. Intended as an experimental very-long-range maritime patrol aircraft, a single example was built. The XP2H-1 was the largest four engine biplane aircraft ever procured by the US Navy.[1]

XP2H-2
Role Patrol flying boat
National origin United States of America
Manufacturer Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation
First flight November 15, 1932
Primary user United States Navy
Number built 1

Development and design

In 1930, the United States Navy ordered a single example of a large flying boat from the Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation, to meet a requirement for an experimental very-long-range patrol aircraft. The resulting design, designated XP2H-1, was a four-engined biplane with an all-aluminum hull, scaled-up from the smaller PH flying boat, which accommodated a crew of six. The wings were of fabric-skinned aluminum construction and were of trapezoidal shape. The water-cooled V-12 Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror engines were mounted in tandem push-pull pairs between the wings, in nacelles attached to the lower wings.[2][3]

The XP2H-1 first flew on November 15, 1932, and was extensively tested, demonstrating excellent performance, being 11 mph (10 kn; 18 km/h) faster than predicted.[4] It was possible to cruise on just two engines to extend range, and in 1935, the XP2H-1 was used to carry out a nonstop flight between Norfolk, Virginia and Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone. The XP2H-1 took 25 hours and 15 minutes to fly the 2,000 mi (1,738 nmi; 3,219 km) distance between these two locations.[5] It was destroyed later in the year attempting to alight in open water.[6] No further P2Hs were built, with the US Navy equipping its patrol squadrons with smaller flying boats such as the Consolidated P2Y.

Operators
 United States

Specifications

Data from General Dynamic Aircraft and their Predecessors [4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 6
  • Length: 64 ft 6.5 in (19.672 m)
  • Wingspan: 112 ft 0 in (34.14 m)
  • Height: 25 ft 6 in (7.77 m)
  • Wing area: 2,742 sq ft (254.7 m2)
  • Airfoil: root: Clark Y 10.7-15.99%; tip: Clark Y 11.7%[7]
  • Empty weight: 20,865 lb (9,464 kg)
  • Gross weight: 35,393 lb (16,054 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 42,193 lb (19,138 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Curtiss V-1570-54 Conqueror V-12 water-cooled piston engines, 600 hp (450 kW) each
  • Propellers: 3-bladed tractor and pusher propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 140 mph (230 km/h, 120 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
  • Range: 2,150 mi (3,460 km, 1,870 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 3,350 mi (5,390 km, 2,910 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 10,900 ft (3,300 m)
  • Time to altitude: 5,000 ft (1,524 m) in 8 minutes 42 seconds

Armament

  • Guns: 5x flexibly mounted 0.3 in (7.62 mm) Browning machine guns in nose, dorsal waist and tail positions
  • Bombs: 2,000 lb (907 kg) of bombs

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

References
  1. Test Pilot Airpower, September 1974 pp. 11-12
  2. Wegg 1990, pp.113-114.
  3. Flight January 24, 1935, p.94.
  4. Wegg 1990, p.114.
  5. Flight 21 February 1935, p.195.
  6. Loftin 1985, Chapter 8: Boats in the Sky :Biplane Flying-Boat Developments, 1920-30.
  7. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.


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