North American XB-28 Dragon

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The XB-28 (North American model NA-63) was originally conceived as a high altitude version of the B-25 medium bomber. The resulting design, while maintaining the same overall configuration of the Mitchell (with the exception of a single vertical tail instead of B-25's twin tail), was visually more reminiscent of the B-26 Marauder. Other differences in the XB-28 design included a pressurized fuselage and three remote-controlled twin .50 caliber gun turrets (upper, lower, and tail). Two prototypes were ordered in February 1940, with the first flight taking place on April 26, 1942. After testing of the two prototypes, the project was canceled with no further examples being built. The reason for this, according to the USAF archives, was that "although the XB-28 was a successful design, the aircraft never went into production. One reason for this was high altitude bombing was too susceptible to errors caused by wind, cloud cover, etc. especially in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Another was the increasing effectiveness of medium bombers at low and medium levels along with improved tactics. Finally, the performance gains were not considered great enough to interrupt production of proven combat models."  The second prototype XB-28 was built as a high altitude photo reconnaissance aircraft, and was designated XB-28A, but like the first XB-28 prototype it was the only one of its kind.

For more data on this aircraft, click here for Joe Baugher's webpage.
USAF archives on this aircraft, click here.
Additional information on this aircraft can be found at Wikipedia here.
(updated February 2009)
 

North American XB-28 Dragon

Type:           high-altitude medium bomber
Crew:           5
Armament:       six .50 cal machine guns
                up to 4,000 lbs. of bombs

Specifications:
        Length:         56' 5"
        Height:         14' 0"
        Wingspan:       72' 7"
        Gross Weight:   35740 lb

Propulsion:
        No. of Engines: 2
        Powerplant:     Pratt & Whitney R-2800 "Double Wasp" radial
        Horsepower:     2000 each

Performance:
        Range:          2040 miles
        Cruise Speed:   255 mph
        Max Speed:      372 mph
        Ceiling:        33500 ft

(go to North American page)

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