|
|
Home > Fact Sheets > Lockheed B-37
LOCKHEED B-37
Posted 6/26/2009
Printable Fact Sheet
| |
| Photos | |
 |
Side view of the Lockheed B-37. Note the cone shaped gun port on the aft fuselage. (U.S. Air Force photo)
|
Download HiRes
|
|
|
|
|
The Lockheed B-37 was intended to be an armed reconnaissance/observation derivative of the Lockheed Lodestar. Initially designated O-56, the aircraft was later redesignated RB-34B, and finally B-37 because a different engine would be used on the B-37 (Wright R-2600 rather than the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 used on the B-34).
The U.S. Army Air Corps placed an order for 550 aircraft on Aug. 8, 1941, five days before the initial B-34 order. Only 18 B-37s were actually completed before the entire order was canceled to allow Lockheed to shift production to higher priority projects. The first flight of a B-37 was on Sept. 21, 1942.
| Type |
Number built/
converted |
Remarks |
| B-37 |
18 |
Armed recon/observation aircraft |
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: Four .30-cal. and five .50-cal. machine guns plus 2,000 pounds of bombs
Engines: Two Wright R-2600-13 radials of 1,700 hp each
Maximum speed: 298 mph at 13,500 ft.
Cruising speed: 198 mph
Range: 1,300 miles normal combat; 2,700 miles maximum ferry range
Service ceiling: 22,400 ft.
Span: 65 ft. 6 in.
Length: 51 ft. 5 in.
Height: 11 ft. 11 in.
Weight: 29,500 lbs. (maximum gross weight)
Crew: Five
Serial number: 41-37470 to 41-37487
Click here to return to the Bomber Aircraft index.
| |
|
|
|
|
