P-2B Study Side Plan View

First off, I have to say every aircraft design I do referring to the Destroyermen saga is derived, at least in part, from an initial drawing by the author, Taylor Anderson.  Kudos to an inventive mind.   I then bend, fold, spindle & mutilate them to my own depraved ends.

This current design study is part of the Union response to the surprising air power displayed by the enemy & planning to possibly face even more advanced aircraft from the League of Tripoli.

The P-2A “Lightning” study endeavors to extract the maximum performance from current technology available, with additional advances which do not require excessive resources or development time.  All models carry four M-2 .50 caliber machine guns with two in each wing outboard of the tail boom.  There are also provisions for a 25mm auto cannon installation in the wing booms if these go into production in the future.  However, the 25mm cannons will only be installed if the engine power levels are significantly increased to compensate for the additional weight, or as a lower performance attack platform.  This would be considered the C model Lightning (pictured).  The new design features:

1. In-line twin engine layout which provides for twice the horsepower with little increase in drag.  Additional advantages are engine redundancy, the ability to shut one down to increase cruise range & no adverse yaw induced if one engine is disabled.  The engines are equipped with the manual inertial starting system.

2. Mechanical variable pitch propeller system to increase performance in all flight regimes.  The system also provides for feathering the propeller if an engine is disabled or shut down in flight.

3. Simple enclosed canopy for the cockpit to reduce drag & pilot discomfort at high altitudes & air speeds.  Canopy also has rear view mirrors installed for projected air combat.  The canopy has a restricted view aft, but was deemed the most feasible way to integrate it with the current & near future cockpits.

4. Pair of air/oil heat exchangers using engine oil heat to provide the cockpit with warm air at altitude.

5. Pair of small engine driven air pumps feeding compressed air bottles providing regulated pressurized air to the pilot through a mask.  This system allows operations above the usual physical restrictions imposed on the pilots due to lack of air pressure.  Emergency O2 bottle supplied if system is inoperable to enable pilots to descend to a lower altitude.  Currently tested to 20,000 feet.  Pure oxygen is recommended above 18,000 feet due to the low pressures at altitude & the non-pressurized cockpit.

6. Tube steel & plywood construction to deal with increased airframe stresses.

7. Wheel pants added to the landing gear struts to reduce drag.

8. Water-methanol injection system for situations needing emergency power.

9. Tail hook detent to prevent the hook rising when engaged by the arresting wires & tangling in the aft propeller.