1932 Boeing Model 235, F4B-4, US Navy 9251, NR9846
550 hp R-1340 Pratt & Whitney
The following is from Peter M Bowers' book, Boeing Aircraft since 1916
Both F4B-4s were soon released by the government and sold to stunt pilot Jesse Bristow, who used one for air show work until 1947. The former NC-14 (Navy No. 9251) received a new registration, NR-9846, and was extensively modified by Bristow to incorporate a later 600 hp P & W Wasp with controllable pitch propeller, new I struts, revised undercarriage, a full NACA cowling around the engine, and fittings under the belly for two JATO rocket-propellant bottles. The combination of the JATO bottles, higher-powered engine, and controllable propeller permitted spectacular near-vertical take-offs at air shows. This extensively modified F4B-4 was destroyed in 1948 in a crash by a new owner.
