Vultee A-19
Encyclopedia
The Vultee V-11 and V-12 were American
attack aircraft of the 1930s. Developments of the Vultee V-1
single-engined airliner, the V-11 and V-12 were purchased by several nation's armed forces, including China
, who used them in combat against Japan
ese forces in the Second Sino-Japanese War
. The United States Army Air Corps
purchased small numbers of the V-11 as the Vultee YA-19 in the years before World War II
, testing them to gather data to compare against twin engine light attack planes.
In 1935, Vultee produced a light bomber derivative of their single-engined passenger transport, the Vultee V-1
, which, while demonstrating good performance, was only sold in small numbers owing to competition from larger twin-engined aircraft such as the Boeing 247
and Douglas DC-2
and increasing restrictions on the use of single-engined aircraft for scheduled passenger transport operations.
The resulting aircraft, the Vultee V-11, retained the single-engined, low wing format and all-metal stressed skin structure of the V-1. It combined a new fuselage with accommodation for the two or three crew members under a long canopy with the wings and tail surfaces of the Vultee V-1.
before the end of 1935. This was followed by orders in 1939 for two versions (the V-12-C and V-12D) of the more powerful V-12 variant. The majority of these were planned to be assembled at the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company
factory at Loiwing near the China-Burma border, and while the first batch of 25 V-12-Cs were completed successfully, the factory was heavily bombed just after assembly of the first V-12-Ds commenced. This resulted in the part built airframes being evacuated to India
, where it was planned that the aircraft be completed at the Hindustan Aircraft Limited
factory in Bangalore
. However, after a few were assembled, production was stopped as the factory was diverted to more urgent overhaul work.
The V-11s and V-12s that were available were used as light bombers to some limited success, including a mission to bomb the Japanese held airfield by 4 A-19's at Yuncheng
on February 5, 1939 by the 10th Squadron of the Republic of China Air Force, before the aircraft were retired from frontline bombing missions to training and liaison duties in 1940.
purchased a single three-seat V-11-GB aircraft, together with a production license. The aircraft entered Soviet production in 1937 as the BSh-1 (Bronirovanny Shturmovik), but the armour fitted for the ground attack role resulted in inadequate performance and production was stopped after 31 aircraft. They were redesignated PS-43 and transferred to Aeroflot
, who used them as high speed transports until the Germany invasion
in 1941, when they were returned to the Air Force who used them for liaison purposes.
favored twin engine light attack aircraft but seven YA-19 aircraft were ordered in the summer of 1938 for comparison purposes. YA-19s were armed with six .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns and 1,080 lb (490 kg) bombs in internal bomb bay, powered by a 1,200 hp (895 kW) Twin Wasp radial engine and was manned by a crew of three - pilot, observer/gunner, and bombardier/photographer.
An interesting feature of the YA-19 design was its horizontal stabiliser located entirely forwards of the vertical tail. The vertical stabilizer caused directional instability (yaw axis) due to undersize. The last YA-19 (S/N 38-555) was equipped with enlarged vertical stabilizer for improvement of directional stability but performance was not significantly improved.
Service test proved that twin engine attack aircraft had higher speed and carried more armament and larger bomb load. As a result no further YA-19s were ordered.
After comparison tests five YA-19s were redesignated A-19 and assigned to the 17th Attack Group at March Field in California for a brief period. Later were transferred to the Panama Canal Zone
for utility transport and liaison duties. The USAAC A-19 was never used in combat and was quickly replaced by more capable attack aircraft in the early 1940s.
V-11
V-11-G
V-11-GB
BSh-1
PS-43
YA-19
YA-19A
YA-19B
YA-19C
A-19
V-12
V-12-C
V-12-D
- Vultee V11
: Vultee V11 & : Vultee V12C/D
: Vultee V11
: Vultee V11
: United States Army Air Corps
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
attack aircraft of the 1930s. Developments of the Vultee V-1
Vultee V-1
-References:NotesBibliography* Davies, R.E.G. Airlines of the United States. McLean, Virginia: Paladwr Press Inc, 1998. ISBN 1-888962-08-9.* The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft . London: Orbis Publishing, 1985....
single-engined airliner, the V-11 and V-12 were purchased by several nation's armed forces, including China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, who used them in combat against Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese forces in the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
. The United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
purchased small numbers of the V-11 as the Vultee YA-19 in the years before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, testing them to gather data to compare against twin engine light attack planes.
Design and development
Vultee V-1
-References:NotesBibliography* Davies, R.E.G. Airlines of the United States. McLean, Virginia: Paladwr Press Inc, 1998. ISBN 1-888962-08-9.* The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft . London: Orbis Publishing, 1985....
, which, while demonstrating good performance, was only sold in small numbers owing to competition from larger twin-engined aircraft such as the Boeing 247
Boeing 247
The Boeing Model 247 was an early United States airliner, considered the first such aircraft to fully incorporate advances such as all-metal semi-monocoque construction, a fully cantilevered wing and retractable landing gear...
and Douglas DC-2
Douglas DC-2
The Douglas DC-2 was a 14-seat, twin-engine airliner produced by the American company Douglas Aircraft Corporation starting in 1934. It competed with the Boeing 247...
and increasing restrictions on the use of single-engined aircraft for scheduled passenger transport operations.
The resulting aircraft, the Vultee V-11, retained the single-engined, low wing format and all-metal stressed skin structure of the V-1. It combined a new fuselage with accommodation for the two or three crew members under a long canopy with the wings and tail surfaces of the Vultee V-1.
Operational history
China
An initial order for 30 two-seat V-11Gs was placed by ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
before the end of 1935. This was followed by orders in 1939 for two versions (the V-12-C and V-12D) of the more powerful V-12 variant. The majority of these were planned to be assembled at the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company
Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company
The Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company was the creation of American entrepreneur William D. Pawley, the Curtiss-Wright sales representative in China during the 1930s.-History:...
factory at Loiwing near the China-Burma border, and while the first batch of 25 V-12-Cs were completed successfully, the factory was heavily bombed just after assembly of the first V-12-Ds commenced. This resulted in the part built airframes being evacuated to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, where it was planned that the aircraft be completed at the Hindustan Aircraft Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited based in Bangalore, India, is one of Asia's largest aerospace companies. Under the management of the Indian Ministry of Defence, this state-owned company is mainly involved in aerospace industry, which includes manufacturing and assembling aircraft, navigation and...
factory in Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. However, after a few were assembled, production was stopped as the factory was diverted to more urgent overhaul work.
The V-11s and V-12s that were available were used as light bombers to some limited success, including a mission to bomb the Japanese held airfield by 4 A-19's at Yuncheng
Yuncheng
Yuncheng is the southernmost municipality in Shanxi province, China. It borders Linfen and Jincheng municipalities to the north and east, and Henan and Shaanxi provinces to the south and west....
on February 5, 1939 by the 10th Squadron of the Republic of China Air Force, before the aircraft were retired from frontline bombing missions to training and liaison duties in 1940.
Soviet Union
In 1936, the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
purchased a single three-seat V-11-GB aircraft, together with a production license. The aircraft entered Soviet production in 1937 as the BSh-1 (Bronirovanny Shturmovik), but the armour fitted for the ground attack role resulted in inadequate performance and production was stopped after 31 aircraft. They were redesignated PS-43 and transferred to Aeroflot
Aeroflot
OJSC AeroflotRussian Airlines , commonly known as Aeroflot , is the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, based on passengers carried per year...
, who used them as high speed transports until the Germany invasion
Operation Barbarossa
Operation Barbarossa was the code name for Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union during World War II that began on 22 June 1941. Over 4.5 million troops of the Axis powers invaded the USSR along a front., the largest invasion in the history of warfare...
in 1941, when they were returned to the Air Force who used them for liaison purposes.
United States
In the late 1930s, the United States Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
favored twin engine light attack aircraft but seven YA-19 aircraft were ordered in the summer of 1938 for comparison purposes. YA-19s were armed with six .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns and 1,080 lb (490 kg) bombs in internal bomb bay, powered by a 1,200 hp (895 kW) Twin Wasp radial engine and was manned by a crew of three - pilot, observer/gunner, and bombardier/photographer.
An interesting feature of the YA-19 design was its horizontal stabiliser located entirely forwards of the vertical tail. The vertical stabilizer caused directional instability (yaw axis) due to undersize. The last YA-19 (S/N 38-555) was equipped with enlarged vertical stabilizer for improvement of directional stability but performance was not significantly improved.
Service test proved that twin engine attack aircraft had higher speed and carried more armament and larger bomb load. As a result no further YA-19s were ordered.
After comparison tests five YA-19s were redesignated A-19 and assigned to the 17th Attack Group at March Field in California for a brief period. Later were transferred to the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
for utility transport and liaison duties. The USAAC A-19 was never used in combat and was quickly replaced by more capable attack aircraft in the early 1940s.
Variants
- Two prototypes.
V-11-G
- Original two-seat light bomber. Powered by one 1,000 hp (746 kW) Wright R-1820-G2 CycloneWright R-1820|-See also:-References:* Bridgman, L, Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7* Eden, Paul & Soph Moeng, The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152...
engine. 30 built for China.
V-11-GB
- Three-seat version of V-11. Single pattern aircraft purchased by Soviet Union, 40 by TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and 26 by BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
BSh-1
- Soviet licensed armoured ground attack version. Powered by 920 hp (686 kW) M-62Shvetsov ASh-62-Bibliography:* * -External links:***...
. Production stopped after 31 built.
PS-43
- BSh-1 after transfer to Aeroflot as light transport.
YA-19
- Variant of V-11-GB for United states Army Air Corps. Five examples built.
YA-19A
- One YA-19 was completed as an engine test bed. Equipped with enlarged vertical stabilizer (for improve directional stability) and powered by Lycoming O-1230Lycoming O-1230|-References:* White, Graham, Allied Aircraft Piston Engines of World War II, SAE International, 1995* Balzer, Gerald C., American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II, Specialty Press. 2008...
(12 cylinder opposed) engine.
YA-19B
- One aircraft was fitted with Pratt & Whitney R-2800Pratt & Whitney R-2800The Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp is a two-row, 18-cylinder, air-cooled radial aircraft engine with a displacement of 2,804 in³ , and is part of the long-lived Wasp family....
radial engineRadial engineThe radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders point outward from a central crankshaft like the spokes on a wheel...
as an engine test bed.
YA-19C
- The YA-19A fitted with Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-1830-51 engine. Performance was similar to the YA-19.
A-19
- The remaining five YA-19 were redesignated A-19 after assignment to active duty.
V-12
- Revised version of three-seat bomber with refined aerodynamics and more power. One prototype flew in 1939 powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engine.
V-12-C
- Production version of V-12 for China. Powered by R1820-G105B Cyclone engine. 26 built, one by Vultee and remaining 25 assembled in China.
V-12-D
- Revised version with new fuselage and powered by 1,600 hp (1,190 kW) Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14Wright R-2600|-See also:-Bibliography:* Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1998. ISBN 0-517-67964-7-External links:...
engine. 52 ordered for China, two pattern aircraft built by Vultee and 50 for local assembly.
Operators
: Brazilian Air ForceBrazilian Air Force
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
- Vultee V11
: Vultee V11 & : Vultee V12C/D
: Vultee V11
: Vultee V11
: United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...