The Fleetster received Approved Type Certificate Number 369 on 29 September 1930.[3] It was designed to meet a requirement of the New York, Rio, and Buenos Aires Line (NYRBA) for an aircraft to serve the coastal routes in South America. The Fleetster had a streamlined all-metal monocoquefuselage with a wooden wing. The powerplant was a 575hp (429kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B radial engine. It was available as a landplane or seaplane and could accommodate up to eight passengers, although the three NYRBA aircraft were fitted with two full-width seats each for three passengers.
A parasol-wing version (the Model 20 Fleetster) was also developed with the wing supported by four short struts. The open cockpit was moved behind the passenger cabin and the resultant space was used as a cargo compartment. Three aircraft were built for NYRBA and a private Canadian customer.
In 1932 a carrier-borne dive bomber version (Model 18) was evaluated by the United States Navy as the XBY-1, it was not ordered but was the first stressed-skin aircraft, and the first aircraft with so-called "wet wing" integral fuel tanks in the wings operated by the Navy.
Variants
Model 17-1
Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B powered production variant for the NYRBA
Model 17AF
Nine-passenger version powered by a 575hp (429kW) Wright R-1820E Cyclone radial engine. The wing had an increased span and area to give an increased maximum takeoff weight. Three planes were built for Ludington Airline, they were later purchased by Pacific Alaska Airways,[4] two of them (NC703YS, NC704Y) were resold to Soviet Union for use as Arctic rescue planes.[5][6][7] These two planes were used in heroic rescue of SS Chelyuskin crew in April, 1934.
Model 17-2AC
One aircraft powered by a 575hp (429kW) Wright R-1820E Cyclone radial engine.
Model 18
Two-seat carrier based bomber for US Navy with revised wing (50ft (15.24m) span) featuring an integral fuel tank. Fitted with an internal bomb bay capable of carrying a 1,000lb (450kg) bomb and powered by 600hp (448kW) R-1820-78 engine. One built, evaluated as XBY-1 (BuNo 8921).[8]
Model 20-1
Parasol-wing version of the Model 17 for the NYRBA, four built.
Model 20-A
Production version for the Transcontinental & Western Air was a quick-change variant for passenger or cargo work, seven built.
C-11
One Model 17 bought for use of the United States Assistant Secretary of War and designated Y1C-11, later modified to Model 17-2 standards and redesignated C-11A.
C-22
Refined version of the Model 17 for the United States Army Air Corps, three built.
Operators
Argentina
Argentine Navy, one model 17, coded T-202
Spain
Spanish Republican Air Force – Model 20-A
United States
United States Army Air Corps - three C-22
United States Department of War - one Y1C-11, later converted to C-11A
Specifications (Model 17)
Data from General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors [9]
General characteristics
Crew: one
Capacity: eight passengers
Length: 31ft 9in (9.68m)
Wingspan: 45ft 0in (13.72m)
Height: 10ft 2in (3.10m)
Wing area: 313.5sqft (29.12m2)
Empty weight: 3,326lb (1,512kg)
Gross weight: 5,600lb (2,545kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1860 Hornet B radial piston engine , 575 hp (429 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 180mph (290km/h, 160kn)
Cruise speed: 153mph (246km/h, 133kn)
Range: 675mi (1,086km, 587nmi)
Service ceiling: 18,000ft (5,485m)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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