Vultee V-11

Camouflaged Chinese Vultee V-11-G

An initial order for 30 two-seat V-11Gs was placed by China before the end of 1935. This was followed by orders in 1939, for two versions (the V-12-C and V-12D) of the more powerful V-12 variant. The majority of these were planned to be assembled from kits at the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company factory at Loiwing near the China-Burma border,[7] and while the first batch of 25 V-12-Cs were completed successfully, the factory was heavily bombed just after assembly of the first V-12-Ds commenced. This resulted in the part built airframes being evacuated to India, where it was planned that the aircraft be completed at the Hindustan Aircraft Limited factory in Bangalore. However, after a few were assembled, production was stopped as the factory was diverted to more urgent overhaul work.[8]

The V-11s and V-12s were used as light bombers and achieved some success, including a mission to bomb the Japanese held airfield by 4 aircraft at Yuncheng on February 5, 1939, by the 10th Squadron of the Republic of China Air Force, before the aircraft were withdrawn from bombing missions to training and liaison duties in 1940.[9]

Brazilian Vultee V-11-GB2 landing

In February 1939, the Brazilian Army Air Corps acquired the first 10 Vultee V-11–GB2s for long range bombing. 26 aircraft were eventually used by the Brazilian Air Force.

A 3,250 km (2,020 mi) non-stop flight was made across the Brazilian hinterland in 11 hours and 45 min on 8 November 1939 using a V-11.

On 26 August 1942, a U-boat was attacked 50 miles off the town of Ararangua off the southern coast of Brazil. Despite the unsuitability for anti submarine operations, the aircraft flew low and dropped its load of three 250 lb (110 kg) bombs, some of which exploded around the submarine, however the blast damaged the low flying aircraft.

Aeroflot Vultee PS-43

In 1936, the Soviet Union purchased four three-seat V-11-GB aircraft, together with a production license. The aircraft entered Soviet production in 1937 as the BSh-1 (Bronirovanny Shturmovik), but the armour fitted for the ground attack role unacceptably reduced performance and production was stopped after 31 aircraft. They were transferred to Aeroflot and redesignated PS-43 for use as high speed transports until the German invasion in 1941, when they were returned to the Air Force for liaison purposes.[10]

Vultee YA-19 of the 17th Attack Group at March Field, California in 1939

In the late 1930s, the United States Army Air Corps favored twin-engine light attack aircraft but seven YA-19 aircraft were ordered in the summer of 1938 for comparison purposes. The YA-19s were armed with six .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns and 1,080 lb (490 kg) bombs in an internal bomb bay, powered by a 1,200 hp (890 kW) Twin Wasp radial engine and was manned by a crew of three including a pilot, observer/gunner, and bombardier/photographer.

An unusual feature of the YA-19 design was its horizontal stabiliser which was located forward of the vertical tail. The small size of the vertical stabilizer caused yaw instability so the last YA-19 (S/N 38-555) was equipped with enlarged vertical stabilizer.

Service tests showed that twin-engine attack aircraft were faster, could be better armed and carried a larger bomb load so no further YA-19s were ordered. After comparison tests five YA-19s were redesignated A-19 and assigned to the 17th Attack Group at March Field in California for a brief period before being transferred to the Panama Canal Zone for utility transport and liaison duties. The A-19 never saw combat and was quickly withdrawn in the early 1940s.

V-11

First prototype fitted with 750 hp (560 kW) Wright SR-1820-F53 Cyclone driving a two-bladed Hamilton Standard controllable-pitch propeller, which crashed killing both pilot and the project engineer.[2]

V-11-A

Second prototype, similar to first V-11, but with a three-bladed constant speed propeller.

Vultee V-12 prototype

Vultee V-12-D prototype

V-11-G

Initial production two-seat light bomber. Powered by an 850 hp (630 kW) Wright R-1820-G2 Cyclone engine. 30 built for China.[11]

V-11-GB

Three-seat version of V-11. 4 aircraft purchased by Soviet Union (2 as pattern aircraft), 40 by Turkey and others.[12]

V-11-GB2

26 purchased by Brazil – generally similar to V-11-GB[12]

V11-GB2F

Final example for Brazil fitted with floats, however it wasn't accepted.[12]

V-11-GBT

redesignation of V-11-GB for Turkey

V-12

Revised version of three-seat bomber with refined aerodynamics and more power. One prototype flew in 1939 powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engine.

V-12-C

Production version of V-12 for China. Powered by R1820-G105B Cyclone engine. 26 built, one by Vultee and remaining 25 assembled in China.

V-12-D

Revised version with new fuselage and powered by 1,600 hp (1,200 kW) Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14 engine. 52 ordered for China, two pattern aircraft built by Vultee and 50 for local assembly.

V-52

Unbuilt observation design based on YA-19.

Vultee YA-19A powered by Lycoming O-1230 engine

YA-19

Variant of V-11-GB for United states Army Air Corps. Seven examples built.

YA-19A

The last YA-19 was redesignated and completed as an engine test bed. Equipped with enlarged vertical stabilizer (for improve directional stability) and powered by Lycoming O-1230 (12-cylinder opposed) engine.

YA-19B

The second YA-19 built was redesignated after being fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine as an engine test bed.

YA-19C

The YA-19A was redesignated after being fitted with a Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-1830-51 engine. Performance was similar to the YA-19.

A-19

The remaining five YA-19s were redesignated A-19 after assignment to active duty.

BSh-1

Soviet licensed armoured ground attack version. Powered by 920 hp (690 kW) M-62. Production stopped after at least 31 built.[12]

PS-43

Designation for BSh-1 when used by Aeroflot as light transport.[12]

• Baugher, Joseph F. (1 July 2000). "Vultee XA-19". www.joebaugher.com. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
• Deryakulu, Nejat (November 1995). "Les Vultee V-11GBT turcs" [Turkish Vultee V-11GBTs]. Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (32): 29–32. ISSN 1243-8650.
• Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon, eds. (July 1972). "Those Versatile Vultees". Air Enthusiast. Vol. 3, no. 1. pp. 27–32, 38–42.
• Johnson, E.R. (2008). American Attack Aircraft Since 1926. McFarland. pp. 30-32. ISBN 978-0786434640.
• Lednicer, David (15 September 2010). "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
• Norton, William (2008). U.S. Experimental & Prototype Aircraft Projects: Fighters 1939-1945. North Branch, MN: Specialty Press. p. 182. ISBN 978-1580071093.
• Swanborough, Gordon; Bowers, Peter M. (1989). United States Military Aircraft Since 1909. Smithsonian. ISBN 978-0874748802.
• Wegg, John (1990). General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-85177-833-X.