The Consolidate "LB-26" exists as a little-known medium bomber proposal of the early World War II period. At the time of the outbreak of war in 1939, the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) already possessed the war-winning North American B-25 "Mitchell" and Martin B-26 "Marauder" types (both detailed elsewhere on MilitaryFactory.com) but interest remained strong in possible successors and contenders from other providers like Consolidated - who had already delivered their own war-winning four-engined heavy bomber design in the B-24 "Liberator" series. One such endeavor became the short-lived LB-26 which attempted to satisfy a twin-engined, medium-class, high-speed bomber role within the inventory of the USAAC/USAAF.
For all intents and purposes, engineers essentially drew up plans for a dimensionally smaller version of their existing B-24 heavy. This led to deletion of the outboard engines within a shortened wingspan centered on a shortened, more streamlined fuselage. A twin-rudder configuration was retained at the tail as was a powered turret emplacement to protect the aircraft's vulnerable "six". Unlike the stepped nose arrangement of the B-24, a rounded He 111- / B-29-like nose section was developed with liberal use of windows for excellent viewing from-the-cockpit. The mainplanes were mounted high (as in the B-24) and each held an underslung engine nacelle emanating from the leading edges. Each engine was to turn three-bladed propeller units in counter-rotating fashion to naturally cancel out torque effects while provide the needed power and performance. The wings were straight in their general shape, though tapered from root-to-wing-tip while being set slightly ahead of midships.
The fuselage was made long and slender, certainly aerodynamically-refined, and raised ever-so-slightly at the empennage to allow for clearance of the tail unit during take-off and flaring landing actions. A bomb bay was reserved at the aircraft's center (ventral line) and rectangular doors gave access to the fuselage for the crew. A retractable, tricycle undercarriage was to be featured for ground-running - the same novel concept first utilized in the B-24.
Beyond the ability to carry bombs, the aircraft would be armed through 4 x 50 caliber heavy machine guns in fixed, forward-firing mountings in the wing leading edges (one at each wing root and one outboard of each of the engine nacelles). Turrets were to be featured at the dorsal and ventral lines as well as the aforementioned tail position - each to mount a battery of twin 0.50 HMG weapons mainly for defensive purposes.
The plans for this aircraft were known to be in existence as early as February 1940 but nothing became of it and the B-25 and B-26 both went on to see storied careers in the war years - leaving little need for another medium type in the inventory of the USAAF.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
✓X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.
Length
55.3 ft (16.85 m)
Width/Span
70.0 ft (21.35 m)
Height
21.3 ft (6.50 m)
Empty Wgt
22,487 lb (10,200 kg)
MTOW
35,494 lb (16,100 kg)
Wgt Diff
+13,007 lb (+5,900 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Consolidated LB-26 (Project) production variant)
monoplane / shoulder-mounted / straight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Shoulder-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted at the upper section of the fuselage, generally at the imaginary line intersecting the pilot's shoulders.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the Consolidated LB-26 (Project) production variant)
Installed:
2 x Engines of unknown power output to be provided from Wright (R-2600) or Pratt & Whitney (R-2800 or R-1830 series) each driving three-bladed propeller units in counter-rotating arrangement.
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Consolidated LB-26 (Project) 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)
PROPOSED:
4 x 0.50 caliber Heavy Machine Guns (HMGs) at the wing leading edges (two at the roots, two outboard of the engine nacelles).
2 x 0.50 caliber HMG in a powered dorsal turret.
2 x 0.50 caliber HMG in a powered ventral turret.
2 x 0.50 caliber HMG in a powered tail turret.
OPTIONAL:
Internal bombload (conventional drop bombs) of unknown limit, possibly around 4,000lb or less.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 0
LB-26 - Base Project Name.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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United States (cancelled)
