"Stephen Harding" wrote in message
...
Saw a photo yesterday of a WWII B-17 test aircraft powered
with four Allison inline engines as opposed to the usual
Wright Cyclones.

Understand the modification added about 800 hp to the
aircraft.

Anyone know why the modification didn't go anywhere?
The usual suspects? Too much disruption to B-17
production? Engines needed by P-38, P-39, P-40?

Mostly the later, the Vs were going else where.
In the end though, the extra power didn't do much for
the plane's speed: top speed went up 10 mph to 326 mph
but cruise stayed 226 mph. Of course it was carrying a
little extra fuel that stretched max ferry range from
3200 to 3600 miles.
The Air Force Museum will have something up on its
web site. Look under XB-38. The XB-39 would be the
equivalent experiment tried with a B-29

Sorta "Lanc looking".


SMH