Boeing XP-8

The Boeing Boeing Model 66, XP-8, was a prototype American biplane fighter of the 1920s, notable for its unusual design incorporating the engine radiator into the lower wing.

Army testing of the aircraft began in January 1928, and it handled well, but performance was lacking, achieving only a maximum speed of 173.2 mph.

Even so, the prototype continued in Air Corps service until June 1929, after which it was scrapped.

The airframe design lived on in the Navy’s Boeing F2B.

Specifications

Crew

One

Length

23 ft 5 in (7.14 m)

Wingspan

30 ft 1 in (9.17 m)

Height

9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)

Wing area

260 sq ft (24.15 m2)

Empty weight

2,390 lb (1,084 kg)

Max take-off weight

3,421 lb (1,552 kg)

Powerplant

1 × Packard 2A-1500 liquid cooled piston engine,

600 hp (448 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed

153 kn (176 mph, 283 km/h) at 6,000 ft (1,830 m)

Cruise speed

129 kn (148 mph, 238 km/h)

Range

283 nmi (325 mi, 523 km)

Service ceiling

20,950 ft (6,386 m)

Rate of climb

1,750 ft/min (8.89 m/s)

Armament

Guns

1 x 0.3 in & 1 x 0.5 in machine gun.