A "preighter" almost 100 years ago
Exactly 100 years ago today, on 21 June 1921, the Burnelli RB-1 is documented to have taken off on its first flight. In designing the biplane, which was initially intended only for passenger transport, US engineer Vincent Burnelli (1895-1964) incorporated his lifting body fuselage for the first time. The new piece of equipment was able to contribute up to 50% of the total lift while improving safety and performance.
The RB-2, which evolved from it, had basically the same design, but the wings were also covered with duralumin. At 5.50 m × 4.30 m, the passenger cabin could accommodate 25 passengers. Alternatively, it could be converted to a cargo compartment with a payload of 2,700 kg.
Thus, the largest cargo plane in the world at the time was capable of accommodating up to two passenger cars, a fact used by the Hudson Motor Car Company for advertising purposes in 1925. (ah)