Kreider-Reisner XC-31

Last updated
XC-31
Kreider-Reisner XC-31 USAF.JPG
RoleSingle-engine transport
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Kreider-Reisner
Fairchild Aircraft
First flightSeptember 22, 1934
Primary user United States Army Air Corps
Number built1

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.

Contents

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 Kreider-Reisner XC-31 - 34-026 (33515941023).jpg
Kreider-Reisner XC-31 - 34-026
XC-31 at Langley Kreider-Reisner XC-31 at NASA Langley March 1943.jpg
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

Data from , [1] [2]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "Fairchild Model XC-31 Cargo Transport". History of Airplanes. acepilots.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2010.