De-Suckifying the YFM-1: Building an American Heavy-Fighter

[XBe02Drvr]

The gyroscopic sighting system that was proposed for the aircraft: Why did it require two people? Could it have been reworked to be used by one person?

This was early in the process of adapting gyros, formerly mostly a sea-going device, to use in aircraft, so these were likely pretty primitive, bulky and heavy. Early aircraft gyros didn't have very effective precession correction systems, so had to be manually corrected frequently. That might require a gyro manager in addition to a gunner. If the Airacuda had had a reasonable service life, I suspect the natural development of gyro technology would have eliminated the "gyro manager" as the benefits of Dolittle's instrument flight achievements filtered through the industry.
Cheers,
Wes

 

[Zipper730]

This was early in the process of adapting gyros, formerly mostly a sea-going device, to use in aircraft, so these were likely pretty primitive, bulky and heavy. Early aircraft gyros didn't have very effective precession correction systems, so had to be manually corrected frequently.

And, I assume the idea of a 3-axis gimbal hadn't been whipped up yet?

That might require a gyro manager in addition to a gunner. If the Airacuda had had a reasonable service life, I suspect the natural development of gyro technology would have eliminated the "gyro manager" as the benefits of Dolittle's instrument flight achievements filtered through the industry.

That makes sense, but I don't know of any two-seat fighter become a one seat-fighter. I've seen one-seat fighters become two-seaters (F7F).

 

[XBe02Drvr]

And, I assume the idea of a 3-axis gimbal hadn't been whipped up yet?

Take a look at a DE trying to make time in heavy seas and imagine a single axis gyro trying to cope with all that bobbing and weaving. Of course they had 3 axis gimbals, they just had to be miniaturized for aircraft use.
Cheers,
Wes

 

[Zipper730]

Take a look at a DE trying to make time in heavy seas and imagine a single axis gyro trying to cope with all that bobbing and weaving.

The system that Sperry used for the fire-control system the YFM-1 was to be adapted for, I'm curious what kind of gyro it was if anybody has anything on that

fubar57 S Shortround6 swampyankee syscom3 W wuzak

 

[jetcal1]

Although probably not having the oomph to actually pull a tail chase airborne interception, airborne radar was available and in use before the aircraft were actually sent to Chanute. Perhaps as as a night fighter and as a night time interdiction anti-shipping (Think Tokyo Express) aircraft the YFM might have some potential. It certainly was large enough and had the crew stations available for conversion.
Let's add the radar to the nose, go to solid nose fixed gun for the nacelles, ditch the gunners and get the crew down to two or three.
(Never mind the CG problems.)

 

[jmcalli2]

The YFM-1 had some ideas that were absolutely insane, but it did have some redeeming features

1. 2-Engines: Supposedly one engine has less installation drag than two, but when power's limited -- there ain't no shame in getting out an extra engine to do the job. The V-1710's also were effective engines that proved highly reliable throughout the course of WWII.
2. Turbocharging: While turbocharging definitely had limitations, it was good if you wanted to fly at high altitudes.
3. Range: If I recall it's range was around 1700-2500 miles and that is valid for an escort plane

This is both a request as well as a personal challenge regarding the ability to straighten out images and make effective photo-manipulations.

Since a photo-manipulation requires a photo, or in this case, blueprints, I have two of them. The first is the more detailed of the two and is courtesy of D.A. Williams, and will probably be used last, though ironically, I think it's the earliest version of the Airacuda.

View attachment 526066

The second image is courtesy of The largest free blueprint and vector drawing collection on the Internet - 16000 vector templates for sale, and will be the initial starting point as it's the least detailed and easiest to manipulate. It also is a three way view.

View attachment 526065

I didn't make any of these. These are just a starting point.

The first issue will be proportions, and I'm basically using much of the same things that Witold Jaworski was doing on his page. Straighten the image out, and then make sure everything is of the same proportion.

Any advice will be welcome, such as what size to resize these images to if they're too big to avoid trouble.

How about this one with revamped nacelles, a trimmed down fuselage, and rearranged armament of 8 x .50cal and 2 x M9 37mm?

 

[vikingBerserker]

Certainly potential as a nightfighter if the right radar was available.

 

[jmcalli2]

Certainly potential as a nightfighter if the right radar was available.

Or a ground attack aircraft.