- Yes
- No
Japanese Boeing Model 69B (ボーイング モデル69B)
In 1928, Japan purchased one Boeing Model 69B aircraft, which was the export version of the Boeing F2B-1, for experimental purposes. This aircraft, along with the Boeing Model 100E (Boeing P-12E), led to the development of the Nakajima A2N fighter.
History
In 1928, the Japanese Navy decided to purchase an American fighter aircraft to compare it with the planes competing for the new carrier-based fighter contract. The competition involved Nakajima with the Nakajima G (later A1N), Mitsubishi with the Mitsubishi 1MF9 TAKA, and Aichi with the Aichi HD-23. The Japanese naval commission purchased the export version of the Boeing F2B-1, named Model 69B, and then, through Mitsui & Co. Ltd, it was sent to Japan. Upon arriving in Japan, the aircraft was taken to the Kasumigaura Air Base, where it received Japanese markings. In June 1928, the aircraft was presented to the Japanese Navy leadership. During the presentation, the plane performed a 40-minute aerobatic flight, including 5 minutes flying upside down, which surprised the Japanese commanders. At that time, the prototype A1N, which was already awaiting production, were not able to perform such aerobatics. This demonstration of the Boeing Model 69B aircraft showed that it was necessary to develop a successor to the Nakajima A1N aircraft, so as not to lose a hypothetical conflict with the USA in the future. Therefore, from the end of 1928, work was underway on the successor to the Nakajima A1N, and the new aircraft was given the factory designation NY. The development of the NY aircraft (the future Nakajima A2N) was also influenced by the Boeing 100E and the Bristol Bulldog MK.II aircraft. The Boeing Model 69B itself was delivered to the Nakajima factory, where it was probably disassembled to conduct reverse engineering and to understand the technology contained within it.
Photos of the Boeing Model 69B
Construction description
The Boeing Model 69B has a metal welded fuselage and wooden wings covered with plywood in a biplane configuration with fixed landing gear. The aircraft is powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-8 Wasp engine, air-cooled, turbocharged, nine-cylinder radial engine with an output of 317 kW (425 hp). The plane is equipped with a two-blade metal propeller. The aircraft’s armament consists of two Browning M1919 7.62 mm machine guns in the nose of the aircraft. Under the wings, four 25 lb (11 kg) bombs can be mounted, as well as one under the fuselage.
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 6,98 m
- Wingspan: 9,17 m
- Height: 2,81 m
- Wing area: 22,58 m2
- Empty weight: 902 kg
- Gross weight: 1272 kg
- Maximum Take-off Weight: ?
- Powerplant: 1 x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-8 Wasp engine, air-cooled, turbocharged, nine-cylinder radial engine with an output of 317 kW (425 hp)
- Propellers: Two-blade metal propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 254 km/h
- Cruising speed: 212 km/h
- Range: 507 km
- Maximum Range: ?
- Service ceiling: 6553 m
- Climb Rate: 9,6 m/s
- Rate of climb: ?
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x Browning M1919 machine gun 7,62 mm in the nose
- Bombs
- 1 x 25 lb (11 kg) bombs (Under the fuselage)
- 4 x 25 lb (11 kg) bombs (Under the wings)
Summary
The Japanese Boeing Model 69B is an interesting aircraft for Japan in War Thunder. Historically, this aircraft was important for the development of the Imperial Navy Air Service, and in the game, it could be an interesting premium aircraft or a low-level event vehicle, similar to vehicles from the Great War era. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this subject.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.
Internet sources
F2B (航空機) - Wikipedia
Boeing F2B - Wikipedia
九〇式艦上戦闘機 - Wikipedia
IJN experimental foreign aircraft | Secret Projects Forum
Boeing F2B (Model 69): Photos, History, Specification
Boeing F2B
Boeing F2B-1 : Boeing
Уголок неба ¦ Boeing F2B
Boeing F2B (Model 69): Photos, History, Specification
Book sources
- 日本航空機総集 輸入機篇 (Japan Aircraft Catalogue Imported Aircraft Edition) Shuppan Kyosha, 1972, page. 106-107
- 日本航空機辞典 1910年(明治43年)～1945年(昭和20年) 上巻 (Encyclopedia of Japanese Aircraft 1910 (Meiji 43) – 1945 (Showa 20), Volume 1) page 161
Thank you for reading the suggestion, see you in the next one. Good luck pilots
