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The Boeing XPBB-1 Sea Ranger (Boeing 344) was a prototype twin-engined flying boat patrol bomber built for the United States Navy. The order for this aircraft was canceled to free production capacity to build the Boeing B-29 and only a single prototype was completed.

Development

Well before the United States entered World War II, the Navy started a program to develop a long-range flying boat, able to cover the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. The Model 344 design offered by Boeing was chosen, and a contract for 57 aircraft was awarded on 29 June 1940. The designation given to the type was PBB for Patrol Bomber, Boeing, the first aircraft of the PB category built by Boeing for the Navy. Nevertheless, Boeing did have important experience in the construction of large flying boats, having produced the successful Boeing 314 airliner. To build the large PBB, Boeing started construction of a new lakeside factory in Renton, Washington, that was owned by the US Navy. However, the prototype was constructed mostly in Seattle, and was moved to Renton only for completion.

To achieve the desired long range, the PBB became a fairly large aircraft, with a wingspan of 139 feet inches (42.59 m) and a crew of ten.

The 1710 US gallon auxiliary outer and 1565 US gallon inner fuel tanks were intended to be used only in an overload condition, in which the PBB would use catapult-assisted takeoff to achieve a theoretical range of . The normal range using the main fuel tanks was . The catapult would be installed so that the flying boat could be lifted onto it with a large crane or hydraulic jacks. However, in the summer of 1942, while development of the Mk.VII catapult was still ongoing, the Navy cancelled the project because it considered JATO assistance at takeoff more practical.

The prototype, designated XPBB-1, made its first flight on 9 July 1942 from Lake Washington.

Specifications (XPBB-1 Sea Ranger)

frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Boeing XPBB-1 Sea Ranger

See also

References

;Notes

;Bibliography

  • Boeing XPBB-1

Pilot's Handbook Model XPBB-1