The Douglas XB-19 was the largest bomber built for the United States Army Air Corps prior to 1938. Its combined length and wingspan of 344 ft (105 m) was only 12% less than that of the Convair B-36 with 392 ft (119 m), the largest bomber ever made for the United States. It was originally given the designation XBLR-2 (eXperimental Bomber, Long Range, model 2).

The purpose of the XB-19 project was to test the flight characteristics and design techniques associated with giant bombers. Douglas Aircraft Company strongly wanted to cancel the project, because it was extremely expensive. Despite advances in technology that made the XB-19 obsolete before it was even completed, the Army felt that it would be very useful for testing. Its construction took so long that competition for the contracts to make the XB-35 and XB-36 occurred two months before its first flight.

The plane finally flew on 1941 June 27, more than three years after the construction contract was awarded. In 1943, the original engines were replaced with Allison V-3420 -11 inline engines. After completion of testing, the XB-19 served as a cargo carrier until it was scrapped in 1949.

Specifications (after engine upgrade)

General characteristics

• Crew: ≤18
• Length: 132 ft 2 in (40.2 m)
• Wingspan: 212 ft 0 in (64.6 m)
• Height: 42 ft 9 in (13.0 m)
• Wing area: 4,492 ft² (417 m²)
• Empty: 140,230 lb (63,500 kg)
• Loaded: 158,930 lb (72,000 kg)
• Maximum takeoff: 164,000 lb (74,400 kg)
• Powerplant: 4× Allison V-3420 -11 inline engines, 2,600 hp (1940 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 265 mph (427 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 165 mph (266 km/h)
• Combat range: 7,750 miles (12,500 km)
• Service ceiling: 39,000 ft (12,000 m)
• Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
• Wing loading: 35.4 lb/ft² (173 kg/m²)
• Power/Mass: 0.0654 hp/lb (108 W/kg)

Armament

• 5× .50 calibre (12.7 mm) machine guns
• 6× .30 calbre (7.62 mm) machine guns
• 2× 36 mm cannon
• 18,700 lb (8,480 kg) of bombs

Links

• USAF Museum description of B-19
• USAF Museum description of B-19A

Designation sequence: XB-16 - B-17 - B-18 - XB-19 - Y1B-20 - XB-21 - XB-22

Related lists: List of military aircraft of the United States - List of bomber aircraft