The Aircraft Project - 105 (AP-105) is an attack bomber project for a reauirement for an attack-bomber hybrid with impressive ground strafing, attack and assault capabilities. However it was underpowered and only one was built.

Aircraft of the comparable type, role and era of the Mathilda AP-105 was the Stearman XA-21.

Development

A competition for a new attack-bomber hybrid was held to replace the Martin B-10,-12,-14 and the Douglas B-18 Bolo in service. The new aircraft should be of the replaced aircraft's length, and powered by a radial engine.

Only Elzer Air Corporation and Mathilda Air Racer and Aircraft Service passed through the second round eliminating the Spencer Air Company, Pacific Air Products (not Boeing), Shanghai Factory and Angeles design bureaus for several respective reasons.

The Mathilda Air Company recieved their first military aircraft proposal to build what would become the AP-105 that could carry a ton of bombs and has a capability to do ground attack.

Design

The AP-105 is a high wing monoplane bomber powered by R-1830 radial engines driving three-bladed Hamilton constant-speed propellers. The aircraft would be occupied by a complement of 4 (pilot, co-pilot, nose gunner/bombardier and rear gunner) and would be armed by cannons for ground attack and a maximum of 1.5 ton total of bombs.

A smaller-height fuselage version was also proposed but it did not get past the drawing board.

Service

The first aircraft, AA-119 (36-119) made its first flight on mid-1937. Bombing and attack characteristics were satisfactory and a variety of guns can be installed at the fuselages and the front but was lackluster due to lack of lift and slightly-lower speed.

The Air Corps ultimately rejected the type for performance constraints and the sole aircraft is preserved.

Specifications

Crew: 4
Length:
Wingspan:
Height:
Empty weight:
Maximum weight:
Fuel capacity:
Powerplant: 2x radial, 1,000 hp
Propeller: 3-bladed

Maximum speed: 400 km/h TAS at 2,150 m
Cruise speed:
Stall speed:
Climb rate:
Service ceiling:
Range:

Armament
2x cannon, 12x bombs (weaponry trials)

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