Boeing Model 215 (YB-9) "Flying Pencil"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for September, 1932
by Jo Kotula
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The Boeing Model 215



The Boeing Monomail
The Model 215 is a scaled-up version of the Monomail
It is also known as the B-9
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In 1930 Boeing developed a bomber "on spec",hoping to acquire a military contract. The goal was to make the bomber very fast but also very stable (to facilitate aiming.) They based their design on Boeing's very popular Model 200 Monomail, a revolutionary all-metal low wing monoplane.

Modern Mechanics and Popular Mechanics both had a brief "squibs" about the B-9. The former dubbed it the "The Death Angel" while the latter called it "The Albatross."

     

The Boeing B-9 "Death Angel" or "Albatross"
(left) in the August, 1931 issue of Modern Mechanics
(right) in the July, 1932 issue of Popular Mechanics
This was considered good publicity....
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Here is a somewhat grainy video of the Model 215/B-9 in flight:

The fuselage was extended well forward of the wing to accommodate a bomb-aimer/gunner in the nose. Immediately behind him was a radio operator. There were open cockpits for pilot, co-pilot and a rear gunner. The 1025kg bomb load could be divided between an internal bomb bay and underwing racks.

       

Patent Diagrams for the Boeing Model 215 and Predecessor
Left Two: Model 215 Design Patent Design Patent D-87,310
Right Two: Monomail Design Patent Design Patent D-91,327
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Click Here to learn how to get free patent diagrams

The narrow profile of the fuselage earned the Model 247 the nickname "Flying Pencil." The Cleveland model airplane company made a contemporaneous detailed scale model kit of the Boeing 247.

  

Boeing Boeing Model 215 (B-9) at the Cleveland Site

You can buy the plans and patterns that will enable you to make this model right now. Click Here to go to the exact location on the Cleveland Website to get them.

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