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Author Topic: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"  (Read 18683 times)

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Zflyer48

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Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« on: March 18, 2018, 02:33:28 PM »

A project to add to my list of WIPs and Hangers.
Zflyer48


General characteristics
Crew: five (pilot, copilot/navigator, radio operator/gunner, two gunners)
Length: 44 ft 10 in (13.67 m)
Wingspan: 69 ft 10 in (21.29 m)
Height: 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
Wing area: 684 sq ft (63.5 m2)
Airfoil: NACA 23018/NACA 23009 [15]
Empty weight: 13,376 lb (6,067 kg)
Gross weight: 17,333 lb (7,862 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 21,625 lb (9,809 kg)
Fuel capacity: 400 US gal (1,500 l)
Powerplant: 2 × Allison V-1710-9 liquid-cooled turbosupercharged V-12, 1,090 hp (810 kW) each
Propellers: three-bladed

Performance
Maximum speed: 277 mph (446 km/h; 241 kn)
Cruise speed: 244 mph (393 km/h; 212 kn)
Range: 2,600 mi (2,259 nmi; 4,184 km)
Service ceiling: 30,500 ft (9,300 m)
Rate of climb: 1,480 ft/min (7.5 m/s)

Armament

Guns:
2 × 37 mm (1.46 in) M4 cannons (110 rpg)
2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns in front of nacelles
2 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (600 rpg) in side blisters

Bombs: 20 × 30 lb (14 kg) fragmentation bombs in wing bays




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David Prosser

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2018, 04:24:56 PM »

That looks interesting. I'll have to look it up on Wikipedia. I look forward to downloading it.

P51vsFw190

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2018, 05:09:16 PM »

Z,

I love you!
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“German humor is no laughing matter”

Greif11

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2018, 05:21:54 PM »

In real that was completely stillborn project.
Read here http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fww2/fm1.html


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BRGDS Andrew

KingTiger503

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2018, 05:49:31 PM »

Very nice, That Airacuda will tide the war.
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My Greatest and Best Regards KT503

ordway

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #5 on: March 18, 2018, 07:11:33 PM »

Nice!  Wiki says there was an operational squadron of them.
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Katyusha454

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2018, 03:15:38 PM »

This is such a gloriously stupid airplane and I love it.  Can't wait to fly it!
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Geschirr

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2018, 09:42:19 PM »

I am super excited for this monstrosity!!! I hope it makes it into BAT at some point.
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"If we don't know what we're doing, neither will the enemy."

propnut27

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2018, 05:18:07 PM »

I remember reading somewhere that some of them were used on anti-submarine patrols in the days immediately following the Pearl Harbor attack. It's a vague recollection, but it could be possible. We used Piper Cubs for that in those early days.

Gil
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Zflyer48

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #9 on: March 24, 2018, 12:09:15 PM »

Progressing
Zflyer48

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Vampire_pilot

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #10 on: March 25, 2018, 01:07:51 AM »

coming along nicely.
That's very special golden age futuristic steam punky looking aircraft

Gatrasz

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Re: Bell FM-1 "Airacuda"
« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2018, 04:35:16 AM »

I'm a big fan of this project, as a long time 'what-if' enthusiast  :D
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