It was readily apparent by the late 1930s that the performance of the B-18 bomber was rapidly rendering it obsolete. In an attempt to improve the performance of the B-18A, Douglas proposed that 1600 hp Wright R-2600-1 radials be fitted to a version of the B-18A to be designated XB-22. In spite of the substantial increase in power offered by the larger engines, the performance of the XB-22 still fell short of requirements and the project was abandoned before anything could be built.
Sources:
-
Ray Wagner, American Combat Planes, Third Enlarged Edition,
Doubleday, 1982.
-
McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920, vol 1, Rene J.
Francillon, Naval Institute Press, 1988
-
United States Military Aircraft Since 1909, Gordon
Swanborough and Peter M. Bowers, Smithsonian, 1989.
- U.S. Army Aircraft, 1908-1946, James, C. Fahey
