Boeing B-1

The Boeing B-1 (company designation Model 6) was a small biplane flying boat designed by William Boeing shortly after World War I.

B-1
Model 6 on display at the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle
Role Utility flying boat
Manufacturer Boeing
Designer William Boeing
First flight 27 December 1919[1]
Produced 1919 - 1927
Number built 1

Design and development

The Model 6 was the first commercial design for Boeing (as opposed to military or experimental designs), hence the B-1 designation. Its layout was conventional for its day, with a Hall-Scott engine driving a pusher propeller mounted amongst the cabane struts. The pilot sat in an open cockpit at the bow, and up to two passengers could be carried in a second open cockpit behind the first. The design was reminiscent of the Curtiss HS-2L that Boeing had been building under license during the war.

Operational history

Only a single aircraft was built, as Boeing had trouble selling it in a market flooded with war-surplus aircraft. In 1920, it was purchased by Edward Hubbard, who used it to carry air mail between Seattle, Washington and Victoria, British Columbia. Air mail service began on 27 December 1919, and continued for eight years.[2] The plane flew until 1930 before being preserved and put on display at Seattle's Museum of History and Industry in 1954.

Specifications

Data from Bowers,[3] Boeing B-1 Seaplane page[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one pilot
  • Capacity: 2 passengers
  • Length: 31 ft 3 in (9.53 m)
  • Wingspan: 50 ft 3 in (15.32 m)
  • Height: 13 ft 4 in (4.06 m)
  • Wing area: 492 sq ft (45.7 m2)
  • Empty weight: 2,400 lb (1,089 kg)
  • Gross weight: 3,850 lb (1,746 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hall-Scott L-6 , 200 hp (149 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 90 mph (145 km/h, 78 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 80 mph (128 km/h, 70 kn)
  • Range: 400 mi (640 km, 350 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 13,300 ft (4,050 m)

References
  1. Bowers, 1989, pg. 48
  2. Bethune, Gordon (1991). "75 Years of Technical Excellence". Airliner. Boeing: 3.
  3. Bowers, 1989, pg. 51
  4. Boeing B-1 Seaplane Archived 2010-11-20 at the Wayback Machine. Boeing. Retrieved 9 February 2008
  • Bowers, Peter M. Boeing aircraft since 1916. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.
  • Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 170.
  • World Aircraft Information Files. London: Bright Star Publishing. pp. File 890 Sheet 50.
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