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XC-31
Kreider-Reisner XC-31 USAF
Role Single-engine transport
National origin United States
Manufacturer 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 the largest single-engine aircraft built to that time,[1] as well as one of the last fabric-covered aircraft tested by the U.S. Army Air Corps.[2] 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,[2] 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 a fully retractable landing gear, 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 at NASA Langley March 1943

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.[3]

Specifications[]

Data from ,[2][3]

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 in (22.86 m)
  • Height: 15 ft 10 in (4.83 m)
  • Wing area: 802 ft2 (74.5 m2)
  • Empty weight: 7322 lb (3321 kg)
  • Gross weight: 12750 lb (5783 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-1820--25 radial, 750 hp (559 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 154 mph (248 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 143 mph (230 km/h)
  • Range: 775 miles (1247 km)
  • Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4570 m)

See also[]

References[]

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