Page 31 - Volume 15 Number 1

In 1941 the original Model 90 had evolved into the Model X-91 powered by a nine-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-985 radial engine developing 450 horsepower. Flight tests in 1942 led to the Air Corps rejecting the design. (Kansas Aviation Museum)
and the Bellanca Aircraft Company in New Castle, Delaware. The Wichita Division remained responsible for all engineering data required to build the airplanes.
The XAT-15 was powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 radial engines, each rated at 550 horsepower. Wingspan was 59 feet 8 inches, length 42 feet 4 inches and height 13 feet 1 inch. Maximum weight was 14,355 pounds, maximum speed was 207 mph, cruising speed was 185 mph. The Bombay accommodated 10 100-lb. practice bombs.
As the war progressed it became clear to officers at the front lines of the United States Army Air Forces that the war was driving massive changes that needed to be incorporated into the design of new combat aircraft. In addition, there was a movement within the Air Corps toward establishing specialized schools for training aerial gunners, bombardiers, navigators and pilots
instead of coordinating their training inflight. That change essentially obviated the XAT-15’s mission and the production contracts were quickly cancelled. Only the two prototypes were built. The Air Corps, however, did award contracts to Fairchild Aircraft Corporation for the all-wood AT-21 specifically to train gunners in the operation of powered turrets. KA
Notes:
1. Martin’s XA-22 eventually was placed into production as part of America’s effort to supply England and France with combat aircraft. France had ordered 115 and when war broke out in Europe, the order was increased to 215. When Germany overran France in May-June 1940, the surviving bombers were flown to England and absorbed into the Royal Air Force as the Maryland Mk. I and Mk. II. Although it was obsolete by 1940 standards, the “Maryland” performed well early in the war against the Nazi onslaught.
2. Hoffman, Raymond J.B.: “History of Boeing Airplanes in Wichita,” Pages 10-11. Boeing Aircraft Company, March 10, 1946.
3. Ibid
Ed Phillips, now retired and living in the South, has researched and written eight books on the unique and rich aviation history that belongs to Wichita, Kan. His writings have focused on the evolution of the airplanes, companies and people that have made Wichita the “Air Capital of the World” for more than 80 years.
Another design created by Wichita Division engineers was the X-120 powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engines, each rated at 550 horsepower. The Army Air Corps designated the ship XAT-15 for evaluation as a twin-engine monoplane intended to train aircrews before they were assigned to combat units. The Air Corps, however, opted for the Fairchild AT-21. (Kansas Aviation Museum)
JANUARY 2021
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 29