Witteman-Lewis XNBL-1 "Barling Bomber"

[Admiral Beez]

An interwar triplane USAAC bomber. Per Wikipedia, "the XNBL-1 was the largest aircraft built in the United States until the Boeing XB-15in 1935."

 

[at6]

I remember reading somewhere that some of the wheels from this plane are in a museum. The only part of the plane remaining.

 

[Capt. Vick]

I read once that it's lack of ceiling was such that the Appalachian mountain range prohibited it from visiting the east coast of the US. Could this be I wonder?

 

[Graeme]

I read once that it's lack of ceiling was such that the Appalachian mountain range prohibited it from visiting the east coast of the US. Could this be I wonder?

G'day Jim.
I've read that as well. Drag out your January 1990 issue of Airpower for a good analysis of it's appalling altitude performance.
"How High are the Hills of Ohio?"

 

[at6]

Huge and almost useless. It was attractive in looks though. Would have been great if the whole plane could have preserved.

 

[Graeme]

Big wheels indeed.

Big photo of them from the net...

 

[at6]

Big wheels indeed.

Big photo of them from the net...

View attachment 605944

Thanks. They are quite large aren't they? And how smooth the tread is.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Thanks. They are quite large aren't they? And how smooth the tread is.

Looks like the inner tube.

 

[special ed]

My immediate thoughts on the photos was it must be at max altitude. Perhaps another two engines and.... no too French. With apologies.

 

[Admiral Beez]

My immediate thoughts on the photos was it must be at max altitude. Perhaps another two engines and.... no too French. With apologies.

How about six engines? Like the Tarrant Tabor.

 

[Capt. Vick]

Oh my

 

[at6]

And to think that people would risk their lives in those things.

 

[tlott01]

According to the Wikipedia entry, Major Hap Arnold ordered it destroyed in 1930 when he was commander of the Fairfield Air Depot. His first request was denied
because "several members of Congress still held an interest in the aircraft". His second request only mentioned XNBL-1 and was approved.

 

[cammerjeff]

How about six engines? Like the Tarrant Tabor.

The Barling Bomber did have 6 engines, 4 tractor & 2 pushers. The pusher engines can be seen in the 3rd photo of the original post on this thread.

 

[GreenKnight121]

6 x Liberty engines! 6 - 420hp "heavy-for-power"* designs.


* by 1923 when this beast first flew.

 

[Gnomey]

Good shots!