Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Fairchild FB 3

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Manufacturer
  
Fairchild Aircraft

The Fairchild FB-3 (Flying Boat number 3) was an all-metal flying boat developed by the new Fairchild Metal Boat Division of the Fairchild Aircraft Corporation. The aircraft did not go into production.

Contents

Design and development

The prototype was built at Fairchild's Farmingdale, Long Island facility. The FB-3 was an amphibious high-wing strut-braced monoplane with retractable landing gear, powered by a high pylon-mounted pusher configuration radial engine. The two-step hull provided flotation with two outboard floats for stability. The wings had metal spars and ribs with fabric covering. The interior was well finished for its time.

Operational history

The prototype aircraft (NX7385) was test flown in 1929 but did go into production.

Specifications (Fairchild FB-3)

Data from Fairchild Aircraft

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: four
  • Length: 41 ft (12 m)
  • Wingspan: 52 ft (16 m)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp Radial, 420 hp (310 kW)

    • Performance

  • Maximum speed: 113 kn; 209 km/h (130 mph)
  • Cruise speed: 100 kn; 185 km/h (115 mph)
  • Range: 565 nmi; 1,046 km (650 mi)

    • References

    Fairchild FB-3 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA