Vega V-134-1 XB-38

Vega V-134-1 XB-38

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08/15/2008. The USAAF requested Vega to investigate the performance improvement of a Flying Fortress re-engined with in-line engines. Negotiations for development of the new design began in March of 1942, and a contract for the Vega Model V-134-1 XB-38s was signed on July 10. The ninth production B-17E was turned over to Vega and the standard four 1,000 hp Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engines were replaced by four 1,425 hp Allison V-1710-89 liquid-cooled V-12 in-line engines.

First flown on May 19, 1943, the XB-38 showed a slight improvement over the standard B-17E, however, before full comparison could take place the aircraft was lost on June 16, 1943, when an engine fire could not be extinguished. Due to the marginal performance improvement and the demand of in-line engines for the P-38 and P-40 fighters, further development was cancelled.


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08/15/2008. The USAAF requested Vega to investigate the performance improvement of a Flying Fortress re-engined with in-line engines. Negotiations for development of the new design began in March of 1942, and a contract for the Vega Model V-134-1 XB-38s was signed on July 10. The ninth production B-17E was turned over to Vega and the standard four 1,000 hp Wright Cyclone R-1820-97 nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engines were replaced by four 1,425 hp Allison V-1710-89 liquid-cooled V-12 in-line engines. First flown on May 19, 1943, the XB-38 showed a slight improvement over the standard B-17E, however, before full comparison could take place the aircraft was lost on June 16, 1943, when an engine fire could not be extinguished. Due to the marginal performance improvement and the demand of in-line engines for the P-38 and P-40 fighters, further development was cancelled.