Kreider-Reisner XC-31

XC-31
Role Single-engine transport
National origin United States
Manufacturer Kreider-Reisner
Fairchild Aircraft
First flight September 22, 1934
Primary user United States Army Air Corps
Number built 1

The Kreider-Reisner XC-31 or Fairchild XC-31 was an American single-engined monoplane transport aircraft of the 1930s designed and built by Kreider-Reisner. It was one of the last fabric-covered aircraft tested by the U.S. Army Air Corps.[1] Designed as an alternative to the emerging twin-engined transports of the time such as the Douglas DC-2, it was evaluated by the Air Corps at Wright Field, Ohio, under the test designation XC-941,[1] but rejected in favor of all-metal twin-engined designs.

The XC-31 was built with an aluminum alloy framework covered by fabric, and featured strut-braced wing and fully retractable landing gear, with the main gear units mounted on small wing-like stubs and retracting inwards. An additional novel feature was the provision of main cargo doors that were parallel with the ground to facilitate loading.

Kreider-Reisner XC-31 - 34-026
XC-31 at Langley

Following evaluation by the USAAC, the XC-31 was transferred to NACA, which used it for icing studies at its Langley Research Center.[2]

Specifications

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Data from ,[1][2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1 (Pilot)
  • Capacity: 15 passengers or 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) of cargo
  • Length: 55 ft 5 in (16.89 m)
  • Wingspan: 75 ft 0 in (22.86 m)
  • Height: 15 ft 10 in (4.83 m)
  • Wing area: 802 sq ft (74.5 m2)
  • Empty weight: 7,322 lb (3,321 kg)
  • Gross weight: 12,750 lb (5,783 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-1820-25 radial , 750 hp (559 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 154 mph (248 km/h, 134 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 143 mph (230 km/h, 124 kn)
  • Range: 775 mi (1,247 km, 673 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,570 m)

See also

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Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Kreider-Reisner XC-31 Fact Sheet". Online Aircraft Features. National Museum of the US Air Force. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Fairchild Model XC-31 Cargo Transport". History of Airplanes. acepilots.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2010.