Model Airplane News September, 1939 ![]() Consolidated "No. 31" XP4Y "Corregidor" Model Airplane News Cover Art for September, 1939 by Jo Kotula Click to Enlarge The Consolidated XP4Y (company Model 31) was an American twin-engined long-range maritime patrol flying boat built by Consolidated Aircraft for the United States Navy. Only one was built and a production order for 200 was cancelled. The aircraft was of all-metal construction with a high-mounted, high aspect ratio cantilever monoplane wing (the Davis wing, which was later used in the B-24 Liberator) with twin tail. It had retractable floats on the undersides of the wings. The civil version could carry seats for 52 passengers, or sleeper accommodation for 28. ![]() ![]() ![]() Consolidated "No. 31" XP4Y "Corregidor" Davis Wing Patent No. 2,281,272 Click to Enlarge The prototype Model 31 first flew in 1939. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941 brought America into the Second World War just as testing was complete and the United States Navy purchased the prototype, designated XP4Y-1, which was converted into a prototype patrol aircraft, fitted with nose, tail and dorsal gun turrets and 4,000 lb bomb capacity. 200 P4Y-1 were to be constructed in a new aircraft plant which had been built in New Orleans. Delays in preparation of the prototype and the shortage of Wright Duplex Cyclone engines (which were required to power the B-29 Superfortress) led to the production order being cancelled. The factory was then assigned to build the PBY ("Catalina") that did not require the scarce engine. Here is a video of the Consolidated "Coronado", the large scale flying boat that evolved out of the "Corregidor" in action: Click Here for more information about the Consolidated "No. 31" XP4Y "Corregidor". ![]() Click to go back and select another cover. | |||||||
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