Witteman-Lewis XNBL-1 "Barling Bomber"

• Dec 21, 2020

• #1

A

Admiral Beez

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Oct 21, 2019

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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."

 

• Dec 21, 2020

• #2

A

at6

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Jun 15, 2011

Fresno, California

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

 

• Dec 22, 2020

• #3

Capt. Vick

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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?

 

• Dec 22, 2020

• #4

Graeme

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Capt. Vick said:

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?

Click to expand...

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?"

 

• Dec 22, 2020

• #5

A

at6

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

 

• Dec 22, 2020

• #6

Graeme

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Big wheels indeed.

Big photo of them from the net...

 

• Dec 22, 2020

• #7

A

at6

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Fresno, California

Graeme said:

Big wheels indeed.

Big photo of them from the net...

View attachment 605944

Click to expand...

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

 

• Dec 22, 2020

• Thread starter
• #8

A

Admiral Beez

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at6 said:

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

Click to expand...

Looks like the inner tube.

 

• Dec 22, 2020

• #9

S

special ed

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

 

• Dec 23, 2020

• Thread starter
• #10

A

Admiral Beez

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Toronto, Canada

special ed said:

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

Click to expand...

How about six engines? Like the Tarrant Tabor.

 

• Dec 24, 2020

• #11

Capt. Vick

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Oh my

 

• Dec 24, 2020

• #12

A

at6

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

 

• Dec 24, 2020

• #13

T

tlott01

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Jan 7, 2017

Colorado Springs

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.

 

• Dec 24, 2020

• #14

cammerjeff

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Dec 26, 2006

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Admiral Beez said:

How about six engines? Like the Tarrant Tabor.

Click to expand...

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.

 

• Dec 24, 2020

• #15

GreenKnight121

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Mar 16, 2014

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


* by 1923 when this beast first flew.

 

• Dec 30, 2020

• #16

Gnomey

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Good shots!