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they didn't really do anything a twin with more powerful engines couldn't do.
Three engines gives you better redundancy than a twin, for the same frontal area.
How would a third engine on the nose not increase the frontal area? The fuselage itself has to be wider/larger in diameter to accommodate an engine and then you have the extra prop, cowling, etc. etc. That would seem to equal a lot more drag than a comparable twin.
How would a third engine on the nose not increase the frontal area? The fuselage itself has to be wider/larger in diameter to accommodate an engine and then you have the extra prop, cowling, etc. etc. That would seem to equal a lot more drag than a comparable twin.
How would a third engine on the nose not increase the frontal area? The fuselage itself has to be wider/larger in diameter to accommodate an engine and then you have the extra prop, cowling, etc. etc. That would seem to equal a lot more drag than a comparable twin.
I would agree with that on transports> But medium bombers ??Most tri-motor aircraft were transports or medium bombers. Forward firing armament is not a high priority for such aircraft.