Date: 6/5/1925
Type: Boeing Model 21 (NB-2)
Common Name: Boeing Biplane Seaplane Trainer
Serial/BU#: A-6788
Sqd/Group: US Navy
Pilot: Hubbard, Ed
Rank: Civilian
Injuries: Minor
Remarks: Engine Failed
Recovered: No Information/Unknown
Other Remarks:
“plunged into Lake Washington off Madison Park”
“crashed nose first at high rate of speed”
“[took off from] Puget Sound airway hanger at Madison Park”

General Info:
As Boeing became recognized as the leading designer of military aircraft, it received in 1923 a Navy order for the trainer Model 21, or NB-1 and NB-2. The company delivered 70 Model 21s in 1924 and 1925.

Variants

  • VNB-1 – prototype (1 built)
  • NB-1 – original production machine with Lawrance J-1 radial engine (41 built)
  • NB-2 – production machine with Wright-Hispano E engine (30 built)
  • NB-3 – one NB-1 with lengthened fuselage and modified empennage to improve handling, and Hispano-Suiza E engine.
  • NB-4 – one NB-1 converted similar to NB-3, but with Lawrance J-1 engine.

The NBs were produced in two batches; the first (NB-1) were powered by radial engines and the second by war-surplus V-8s still in the Navy’s inventory.

NB-1 Photos
boeing-nb_1.jpg
(click to enlarge)

boeing-nb1.jpg
(click to enlarge)