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Name this MWiF Counter - 02
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:50 pm
by Greyshaft
Which US aircraft had its metal wings replaced by wooden wings... and why?
(Be aware that I'm disappearing for four days R&R in about two hours time so you're pretty much on your own with this one)
RE: Name this MWiF Counter - 02
Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 12:08 am
by Greyshaft
HINT: US Carrier aircraft
RE: Name this MWiF Counter - 02
Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 9:26 am
by Froonp
I think it may be the Curtiss BF2C Goshawk.
The vibration frequency of the metal wing structure was an exact match for the engine at cruising speed. In flight, the aircraft seemed to be shaking itself to pieces, no matter the fixes tried by Curtiss and the Navy. Curtiss' final solution was an offer to re-equip the BF2C-1s with the wooden wing of the successful Hawk III export variant.
The Navy refused and replaced it by the Boeing F4B-4, pending re-equipment with more modern monoplanes, so I'm not sure it is the right answer.
(Source :
http://www.squadron.com/old/bf2c/bf2creview.htm)
Another source seems to confirm this is this plane however. It says that the BF2C was in service in the Navy for less than a year, because of serious problems with engine vibration at cruise power. Export versions (Hawk II and Hawk III) reverted to a wooden wing structure to cure this problem.
(Source :
http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/g ... CCURT.html)
Patrice
RE: Name this MWiF Counter - 02
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2005 1:43 am
by Greyshaft
It is the Goshawk...
The wings were replaced to prove that the switch would fix the problem but the Navy decided to revert to the F4B.
Instantly recognisable by its distinctive fuselage-mounted retractable landing gear, the Curtiss-Wright BF2C-1 Goshawk fighter-bomber was plagued by a severe vibration problem which peaked at the aircraft’s cruising speed. Replacing the metal wings with wooden counterparts fixed the vibration but could hardly be considered an upgrade in technology. A squadron of these aircraft served aboard the USS Ranger (CV-4) from October 1936 to November 1937 until they were removed from service and replaced by their immediate predecessor in that role - the Boeing F4B-4. Henceforth Curtiss would concentrate their development efforts on land based fighters such as the P-36 and P-40.
Wouldn't you think they'd have found out that problem during testing?