Consolidated Fleetster

Design and development

The Fleetster received Approved Type Certificate Number 369 on 29 September 1930. 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-1820E Cyclone radial engine, three built for Luddington Airline. The wing had an increased span and area to give an increased maximum takeoff weight.

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).

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

 Spain

Spanish Republican Air Force - Model 20-A

 Argentina

Argentine Navy, one model 17, coded T-202

Specifications (Model 17)

Data from General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors

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 ft² (29.12 m²)

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, 575 hp (429 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 180 mph (290 km/h)

Cruise speed: 153 mph (246 km/h)

Range: 675 miles (1086 km)

Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5485 m)