Boeing XP-8

Prototype Fighter [ 1928 ]

Only a single example of the experimental Boeing XP-8 pursuit fighter was ever produced.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/25/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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Following World War 1 (1914-1918), the aircraft as a military platform advanced beyond its original fabric-over-wood coverings and underpowered engines. Early forms were now being replaced by metal-skinned airframes with reinforced structures and evermore powerful engines benefitting from advancing technologies in the field. What remained however was the general biplane shape and open-air cockpit along with fixed, forward-firing machine gun armament and fixed undercarriage systems. After covering several designs for the military during and after World War 1, Boeing began work on more advanced fighter types to fulfill the new US Army Air Service "Pursuit" fighter requirements emerging and established itself as a prominent aircraft maker with their PW-9. In the middle/late 1920s, Boeing attempted to sell the renamed "US Army Air Corps" on a new pursuit type as the "XP-8" developed as a private venture offering by the company and intended to fulfill a 1925 USAAC requirement.

The Boeing XP-8 represented a "one-off" biplane fighter prototype (Boeing Model 66). It continued use of a biplane wing arrangement as well as open-air cockpit and fixed undercarriage structure. The airframe was powered by a single, front-mounted Packard engine and carried its radiator system along the lower wing root - a distinct feature in its design. The aircraft was further distinguished by its noticeably contoured nose assembly which was to aid in aerodynamic efficiency at expected speeds. Armament was consistent with aircraft of the time and made up of a combination of 1 x 0.30 caliber medium machine gun and 1 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine gun in fixed mountings for forward-firing. Power was served through a single Packard 2A-1530 series inverted "vee" engine delivering 600 horsepower allowing the XP-8 a top listed speed of 170 miles per hour while cruising was around 135 miles per hour. The aircraft displayed a service ceiling of 20,950 feet and range of 325 miles. Rate-of-climb was a useful 1,750 feet per minute. The engine drove a two-bladed propeller assembly. Dimensionally, the XP-8 showcased a length of 23 feet, 4 inches, a wingspan of 30 feet and a height of 8 feet, 4 inches. Maximum weight was listed at 3,420 lbs. The main wings were of uneven span featuring parallel struts and cabling with the pilot seated aft and under the upper wing arrangement.

The aircraft was delivered USAAC testing facilities in early 1928. Pilots noted the type's good handling characteristics thought he test vehicle could not attained required speeds for an Army fighter. Engine problems soon developed where engine oil and water would leak into the bottom of the powerplant and foul sparkplugs. The issue was never resolved and, despite evaluation into June of 1929, the aircraft was not accepted for Army service. The prototype was then scrapped and lost to history though Boeing utilized some qualities of the design to sell the US Navy, Japan and Brazil on its F2B model - 33 built in all.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

Service Year

1928

Origin

United States

Crew

1

Production

1
UNITS

Boeing - USA

(View other Aviaton-Related Manufacturers)

United States

(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)

✓ Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.

✓ X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.

Length

23.4 ft
(7.14 m)

Width/Span

30.1 ft
(9.17 m)

Height

9.0 ft
(2.74 m)

Empty Wgt

2,392 lb
(1,085 kg)

MTOW

3,417 lb
(1,550 kg)

Wgt Diff

+1,025 lb
(+465 kg)

(Showcased structural values pertain to the base Boeing XP-8 production variant)

Installed: 1 x Packard 2A-1500 liquid-cooled piston engine developing 600 horsepower.

Max Speed

176 mph
(283 kph | 153 kts)

Ceiling

20,965 ft
(6,390 m | 4 mi)

Range

326 mi
(525 km | 972 nm)

Rate-of-Climb

1,750 ft/min
(533 m/min)

♦ MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base Boeing XP-8 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)

STANDARD:
1 x 0.30 caliber machine gun
1 x 0.50 caliber machine gun

Supported Types

Graphical image of an aircraft medium machine gun

Graphical image of an aircraft heavy machine gun

(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)

Hardpoint Mountings: 0

XP-8 - Base prototype designation

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