Interesting B-17E (XB-38)

[mscard88]

BOMBER LEGENDS: Find a pic nearby of the XB-38,
a one-off prototype of a B-17E fitted with in-line Allison
V-1710 liquid cooled engines versus the usual Wright
R-1820 radial engines. Prompted by concern that the
Wright radials might become scarce, this prototype lasted
only seven flights before an engine fire resulted in crew bail
-out and loss of the ―ship‖. Pic courtesy of the very cool
―Bomber Legends‖ Calendar series.

 

[wilkersk]

 

[Zeldman]

https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/the-prettiest-b-17-flying-fortress-was-the-xb-38-1619966937

 

[Bill Watson]

A credit to the designers.... it still looks ‘right’.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Shepherd]

It looks like they mounted the nose sections of 4 P-40's on the wing.
Great idea. It's a shame they didn't follow through.

 

[3393RP]

I recall reading somewhere that the XB-38 was built to explore flight characteristics, with the intention of fitting production B-17s with the Allison V-1710.

However, Lockheed, Curtiss, and Bell fighter production claimed all of the V-1710 engines being built, and as a result it was decided to open another production line for the R-1820 instead.

The high probability of battle damage and subsequent failure of the liquid cooled V-1710 was also considered. The R-1820 could take a pretty severe beating and still produce power.