Air Force One candidates 1942-1944

vikingBerserker said:

I like the idea of the B-19, perhaps the version that was fitted with the Allisons.

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XB-19
Four Wright R-3350-5 eighteen-cylinder air-cooled radials rated at 2000 hp each for takeoff and 1500 hp at 15,700 feet. Maximum speed 224 mph at 15,700 feet. Cruising speed 135 mph. Initial climb rate 650 feet per minute. Service ceiling 23,000 feet. Normal range 5200 miles, maximum range 7710 miles.

XB-19A
Four 2600 hp Allison V-3420-11 twenty-four cylinder liquid cooled engines. Maximum speed 265 mph at 20,000 feet. Cruising speed 185 mph. Service ceiling 39,000 feet. Normal range 4200 miles Weights: 92,400 pounds empty, 140,230 pounds loaded. Dimensions: wingspan 212 feet, length 132 feet 4 inches, height 42 feet, wing area 4285 square feet.

Douglas XBLR-2/XB-19

+40mph top speed and +50mph cruise speed would be very useful. 1,000 miles less range less so. Though if some armament was ditched extra fuel could be carried.

jetcal1 said:

If, if the AAC and Allison had really put some effort (Money and manpower) into the V3420 in 1938-1941 would it have been flight rated by 1942? quite possibly. I think it wold have been neat to see more aircraft powered by the 3420. but..........
No such luck. (Just think what could have happened if the V3420 was mature enough to replace the 3350 early in the program.)

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I believe that the V-3420 was flight rated, but not type tested, by 1942.

Converting the XB-19 to V-3420 was, IIRC, related to the problems with the R-3350 and the B-29 program.

Fisher was given the job of designing the QEC module to fit the B-29, but their work was delayed as they worked on the XP-75. By the time the XB-39 flew most of the major problems with the R-3350 had been worked out.

wuzak said:

I believe that the V-3420 was flight rated, but not type tested, by 1942.
Converting the XB-19 to V-3420 was, IIRC, related to the problems with the R-3350 and the B-29 program.
Fisher was given the job of designing the QEC module to fit the B-29, but their work was delayed as they worked on the XP-75. By the time the XB-39 flew most of the major problems with the R-3350 had been worked out.

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I'd love to be able to give this a 1/2 agree check mark.

Remember the both the XBLR-2 (Douglas) and the XBLR-3 were both originally designed around the 1935 AAC specification that called for the V-3420. By mid-'36 the AAC changed the specification to the R-3350 due to delivery problems with the V-3420.
And remember, the AAC actually cancelled the V-3420 program in September 1940. (And approved it for disposal in Dec.1940!) By the time it was revived for the other programs and further developed, it did not pass it's 150 Hour Type Test until June 1943.

My source for this is: Douglas XB-19, William Wolf.
I agree the XC-19A might have made a great VIP transport, but it doesn't meet the 1942 criteria and that knocks it out of the contention.

The C-69 was never an operational airplane during WW2 and only became operational at the end of 1945. This was mostly because it used R3350s which had a lot of developmental problems and later were directed exclusively to the B-29. So, B-24 (actually C-87) were used as VIP transports (though never Air Force 1) as well as later C-54. The B-24 was the best early choice because it was relatively fast, had a lot of internal volume that could be converted into a passengers' cabin and also possessed long range. Alas it didn't have a good safety reputation. The C-54 was built as a passenger airplane and thus was from the start very suitable for VIP service. It was a solid and reliable airplane that stayed in USAF service until the 1970s. So, in my opinion - best Air Force 1 in WW2 is and was the C-54.

If you're going to go with converted bombers, then stick with the C-108/VB-17G.

The C-87 was plagued with problems, which caused several fatal accidents - not really a good idea for an AF-1 candidate...

If you're going to fly FDR halfway around a war torn world, you DON'T want him in a unique aircraft, easily recognizable, and a novelty wherever it goes!
Better a stripped and lightened everyday combat plane like a specially fitted B17 with a passenger compartment flying with a group of other B17s on a regular ferry flight. The rest of the crews don't even have to know what's up, just that the "stranger" has priority cargo, maybe some kind of advanced weapon.
Cheers,
Wes