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Boeing Y1B-20

1938 X-PLANE

History of the Boeing Y1B-20

Before its famous WWII heavy bomber list, Boeing worked on various projects to advance existing technology and improve the long-range flight qualities of heavy airframes. One such program became the Y1B-20 (Boeing 316), an offshoot of the experimental XB-15. The original XB-15 grew out of a 1933 United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) program that sought a bomber that could reach a range of 5,000 miles and a speed of 200 miles per hour with a 2,000-pound bomb load . The Y1B-20 is essentially an improved, larger version designed to use a more powerful engine - 4 x Wright GR-2600-A73 rated at 1,350 hp is the expected type.

When it was submitted to the Army (and accepted on two prototype orders), the product was canceled before either airframe was built. As a result, Boeing did not complete any examples and the project was lost in aviation history.

The four-engine layout and general aerodynamic design of the Y1B-20 has an estimated top speed of 258 mph and a cruising speed of 242 mph. The range is 4,000 miles. In contrast, the U.S. Army has seen more interest and use of the YB-15, which has a top speed of 200 mph and a cruising speed of 150 mph.

Range is 5,130 miles, while service is capped at 18,900 feet. The famous B-17 (Model G) has a top speed of 290 mph, a cruising speed of 180 mph, a range of 2,000 miles, and a service ceiling of 35,600 feet.

As a heavy bomber, the Y1B-20 was designed to carry an internal artillery load of up to 17,600 pounds. Like other bombers of the time, the aircraft would be defended by a strategically placed network of No. 7 machine guns - essentially 3 x .30 and 4 x .50.

In any case, like the XB-15 before it, the Y1B-20 helped Boeing lay the foundation for its lineup of key bombers that served in World War II and beyond.