HOME | DD

Description
When the Douglas Aircraft Company began construction of the XB-19 in 1937, the chief designers contacted Prof. Anton Veeblefitzer, the renowned aircraft designer, and cat trainer, to add his two cents worth of advice.
"This looks like a job for......,VEEBLEFITZER!!!" The Professor shouted, as concerned Douglas security police tackled him.
Being a rich SOB, Prof. Veeb' funded a parallel XB-19 construction project, to be built along side of the original Douglas design.
The Douglas design came equipped with 4 x 2,200 HP Wright R-3350 Duplex motors. Prof Veeb's version came with 6 such motors (!)
Prof. Veeb's version was more streamlined and lighter than the Douglas design. Prof. Veeb' reduced the tail surfaces by 10%, which saved weight, and blended the nose of the aircraft and lower aft fuselage into a smoother profile.
The Douglas design carried 2 x 37mm cannon auto-cannon, 5 x .50 cal machine guns, and 6 x .30 cal mg's for defense.
Prof. Veeb's version was defended with 20 (!) x .50 cal mg's. These weapons were placed in powered turrets, 4 to each turret, in the nose, tail, and atop and below the fuselage. The fuselage turrets were retractable, which eliminated air resistance and improved performance.
Two waist gunners positions were included, but were considered unnecessary given the firepower that the craft already had.
The speed of the Douglas XB-19 was a miserable 265 MPH. Prof. Veeb's version, unloaded, and with turrets retracted, could do 319 MPH (!).
The Veeblefitzer design could carry 20,000 LBS of bombs, while the Douglas XB-19 carried 18,700 LBS of bombs.
Service ceiling for the Douglas aircraft was 39,000 FT, while Prof. Veeb's aircraft could top 42,000 Ft altitude.
The only advantage that the Douglas XB-19 had over the VD (which always got a laugh) -XB-19-2 was in range. The Douglas design could fly 4,200 miles, while Prof. Veeb's was limited to 3,950 miles.
The two aircraft spent the war being used for research and training.
After the war, the Douglas XB-19 was scrapped, but Prof. Veeblefitzer's machine was saved, and is now part of a flying museum, owned by the Commemorative Air Force, and can be seen dominating airshows to this day.
Please note the profile differences between the Douglas design, pictured top, and the Veeblefitzer version.
With credit to the artist who painted the XB-19 picture, but whose name I could not find.

Description
When the Douglas Aircraft Company began construction of the XB-19 in 1937, the chief designers contacted Prof. Anton Veeblefitzer, the renowned aircraft designer, and cat trainer, to add his two cents worth of advice.
"This looks like a job for......,VEEBLEFITZER!!!" The Professor shouted, as concerned Douglas security police tackled him.
Being a rich SOB, Prof. Veeb' funded a parallel XB-19 construction project, to be built along side of the original Douglas design.
The Douglas design came equipped with 4 x 2,200 HP Wright R-3350 Duplex motors. Prof Veeb's version came with 6 such motors (!)
Prof. Veeb's version was more streamlined and lighter than the Douglas design. Prof. Veeb' reduced the tail surfaces by 10%, which saved weight, and blended the nose of the aircraft and lower aft fuselage into a smoother profile.
The Douglas design carried 2 x 37mm cannon auto-cannon, 5 x .50 cal machine guns, and 6 x .30 cal mg's for defense.
Prof. Veeb's version was defended with 20 (!) x .50 cal mg's. These weapons were placed in powered turrets, 4 to each turret, in the nose, tail, and atop and below the fuselage. The fuselage turrets were retractable, which eliminated air resistance and improved performance.
Two waist gunners positions were included, but were considered unnecessary given the firepower that the craft already had.
The speed of the Douglas XB-19 was a miserable 265 MPH. Prof. Veeb's version, unloaded, and with turrets retracted, could do 319 MPH (!).
The Veeblefitzer design could carry 20,000 LBS of bombs, while the Douglas XB-19 carried 18,700 LBS of bombs.
Service ceiling for the Douglas aircraft was 39,000 FT, while Prof. Veeb's aircraft could top 42,000 Ft altitude.
The only advantage that the Douglas XB-19 had over the VD (which always got a laugh) -XB-19-2 was in range. The Douglas design could fly 4,200 miles, while Prof. Veeb's was limited to 3,950 miles.
The two aircraft spent the war being used for research and training.
After the war, the Douglas XB-19 was scrapped, but Prof. Veeblefitzer's machine was saved, and is now part of a flying museum, owned by the Commemorative Air Force, and can be seen dominating airshows to this day.
Please note the profile differences between the Douglas design, pictured top, and the Veeblefitzer version.
With credit to the artist who painted the XB-19 picture, but whose name I could not find.