PB-2A SAAF

[Acree]

Here is a PB-2A of No. 43 Squadron, SAAF (see Robomog's entry above for justification!)  Just a very quick profile.  Enjoy!
PB-2A SAAF by cacree, on Flickr

[Robomog]

That looks really good, that might just have swung me back to desert camouflage on the P26

Aaaah decisions, decisions !!   

Mog
>^-.-^<

[GTX_Admin]

 

[elmayerle]

Nice, but I wonder if the PB-2A's might be refitted with Allison V1710 engines, along the lines of what Bell did to the XA-11A Allison testbed, to give them a more modern and capable engine?

[Acree]

Of course such a thing is possible, but with the Allison weighing 40% more than the Conqueror, I'm not sure a V-1710-powered PB-2 would be practical as a combat aircraft.  Moreover, with only about 30 PB-2As available, the development and conversion work would probably not be worth the effort and delay.  Still - would be cool-looking!

Another possibility would be a Twin Wasp version as proposed by Consolidated for the P-33. 

[elmayerle]

Development of the basic conversion was already on the XA-11A which served as the first flying testbed for the Allison engine; 'twas also the first major contract awarded to Bell Aircraft.

[taiidantomcat]

That is one unique looking bird! 

[jcf]

I agree that a V-1710 on a PB-2A makes little sense, the increase in weight would
seriously reduce it's usable fuel and munitions load making the increase in power
a wash.
Perhaps instead Curtiss pulls its finger out and solves the problems with the Conqueror?

Of course, Curtiss pulling its finger out is one of the great What-If?s of history.