NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Boeing F4B could out perform all existing pursuit aircraft in service at the time. It was the last wooden U.S. biplane fighter. It served throughout the U. S. Navy during the early 1930's. The U.S. Army variant was designated the P-12
The Boeing F4B was innovative in that its fuselage frames were constructed of bolted aluminum tubing, except for the engine mounts and mid-fuselage areas. Previous Boeing aircraft employed welded steel tubing throughout the aircraft. Other differences from prior models were straight rather than tapered wings.
Boeing F4B aircraft were armed with either two .30 cal. or one .50 cal. machine guns. They were located in the top of the nose, firing through the propeller.
The biplane fighters were originally equipped with a 450 h.p. Pratt and Whitney R-1340-7 radial engine. The propeller was metal, two bladed. The pitch of the propeller could be adjusted on the ground. For increased range, a 55 gallon fuel tank was fitted between the landing gear legs. Up to 700 lbs. of bombs could be carried under the wings and fuselage of the aircraft.
Soon after the F4B entered service, Boeing introduced an aircraft designated the XP-12A. It incorporated improvements for trial based on suggestions by service pilots.
The model B first flew on May 12, 1930. It featured the ailerons tested on the experimental aircraft, revised elevators, and slightly larger wheels. The engine and struts were unchanged. Later, ring cowlings were incorporated into the design. The new airplane didn't perform as well as the original Boeing F4B due to an increase in weight.
The model D first flew on Sept. 15, 1931. The most significant change over the C model was a more powerful 525 hp. Pratt and Whitney R-1340-17 engine.
The final version, designated the model E, first flew as the company owned aircraft Model 218 on Sept. 29, 1930. It was intended as a test aircraft for improvements over the Boeing F4B. model E had a new, high-altitude rated R-1340-D engine.
A total of 586 Boeing F4B aircraft of all types were built. Some remained in service until 1941.
The first picture below is of the rc Boeing F4B from Mammoth Scale Plans. You can find the plans at Bob Holman Plans. It has a 90" wing span and can be flown with 2 to 3 cid engines. All up weight will be around 23 lbs.
The second picture below is of a rc Boeing F4B from H.G. Bowers plans. It has a wing span of 60". They were originally published in RCM Plans. The plans are now available from Precision Cut Kits.
The last picture below is of the rc Boeing F4B built by Dave Engle from a Balsa Products kit. It has a wing span of 68". Materials used in the kit are a fiberglass cowl, balsa and plywood. Dave powers it with a O.S. 1.6 engine. Weigh is 13 lbs.
Boeing F4B
