Flight, October 1940

LEVIATHAN BOMBER
Douglas B-19 Nearing Completion

  PHOTOGRAPHS showing the progress at Santa Monica of the Douglas B-19 of sensational size have now reached us. Some technical information and photographs were published in our issue of April 25, but the 157,000 lb. then given as the gross loaded weight is now stated unofficially to be 140,000 lb.
  Bomb load is given as 18 tons and the crew as 10. The engines are Wright Duplex Cyclones (double-row 18 cylinders) rated at 1,700 h.p. at 2,300 r.p.m. at 6,500ft. pressure altitude. Take-off rating is about 2,000 h.p. The new "dynamic suspension" engine mounting, with attachment to the cylinder heads, is being used. With the smaller gross weight the power loading at take-off is 17.5 lb. per h.p., so it would seem that the aeroplane has been built for larger engines when these become available.
  Span is 210ft., and speed is believed to be about 200 m.p.h. No precise figure for range has been given, but wild statements such as from Los Angeles to Europe and back are not lacking. To obtain very great range it is necessary to resort to huge size, and this has the effect of increasing the structure weight percentage somewhat and so decreasing disposable load.
  But great size will increase vulnerability to A.A. fire and perhaps to fighter attack also. If an aeroplane such as this is going to keep reasonably clear of searchlights its ceiling will have to be considerable. And with the power of the engines being fitted this does not appear to be likely. The whole thing seems to be a gigantic experiment in evolving an ocean-crossing bomber, a type which U.S.A. must have unless her defence is going to be based entirely on making contact with an enemy who has arrived at the national boundary or comparatively close to it.
  It will be interesting to know later just what factors have been used in its design, as that will have an effect on the structure weight proportion. Knowledge accumulated on the construction of this giant will be very useful later when the world is again able to turn to peaceful flight and more thought is given to ocean flying.
  The great single rudder will require enormous control loads to actuate it. Some sort of servo aid will be necessitated, as it will be on the other two controls also. While many other designers have adopted twin tails, Douglas is apparently holding to its usual practice with only one.