Subject: Bomber Series--Keystone B-5

From: [email-masked] (joseph.f.baugher)
Date: 16 Jun 94 22:21:12 GMT

In 1930, three Keystone biplane bombers were ordered under the 
designation LB-14.  They were to be equipped with single vertical 
tails and were to be powered by a pair of 525 hp Pratt & Whitney 
GR-1860 radials.  In the early 1930s, the USAAC abandoned its separate 
designation categories for light (LB) and heavy (HB) bombers, and 
classified them both under the B category.  The LB-14s that were 
ordered were completed as Y1B-5s with 525 hp Wright R-1750-3 engines.  
However, it is uncertain if these were ever actually delivered.  

27 production versions of the Y1B-5 were obtained by converting 
existing B-3As.  These conversions were assigned the designation B-5A.  
They were powered by a pair of Wright R-1750-3 Cyclone air-cooled 
radial engines.  The Cyclone engined Keystones could be distinguished 
from the Hornet-powered Keystones by the presence of the exhaust rings 
in front on the Cyclones and in the rear on the Hornets.  

The B-5A carried a crew of five--pilot, copilot, bombardier, front and 
rear gunners.  Except for the engines, the B-5A was almost identical 
to the B-3A from which it was converted.  The B-5A served with the 
72nd Squadron of the 5th Composite Group based at Luke Field in 
Hawaii.  In addition, a training squadron at Kelly Field had a few 
B-5As.  

Specification of the Keystone B-5A: 

Two 525 hp Wright R-1750-3 Cyclone air-cooled radial engines.  Maximum 
speed 111 mph at sea level, 106 mph at 5000 feet.  Cruising speed 98 
mph.  Landing speed 57 mph.  Service ceiling 10,600 feet.  Absolute 
ceiling 13,000 feet.  Weight: 7705 pounds empty, 12,952 pounds gross.  
Wingspan 74 feet 8 inches, length 48 feet 10 inches, height 15 feet 9 
inches, wing area 1145 square feet.  Armed with three Browning machine 
guns, one in each of nose, dorsal, and ventral positions.  A bomb load 
of 2500 pounds could be carried.  

Sources:

  United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon Swanborough and
  Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.

  American Combat Planes, Ray Wagner, Third Edition, Doubleday, 1982.

  American Warplanes, Bill Gunston

  Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation

  U.S. Army Aircraft, 1908-1946, James C. Fahey

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