A truly unique exhibit at the NEAM is this CBY-3 which underwent an eight-year restoration completed in 2020. A one-off, twin-boom, aerofoil-section fuselage, high-lift airliner, it was built by Canadian Car & Foundry in 1944, registered CF-BEL-X while in the experimental stage. Despite significant interest from the industry and a trouble-free test program, no orders were forthcoming. The designer Burnelli moved back to the US and it was registered N17N, the Loadmaster flying commercially in N Canada and S America until withdrawn at Baltimore. In 1964 it was moved in derelict state to Bradley.

Although eight "lifting fuselage" CBY-3 prototypes were built between 1923 and 1945, and despite a very impressive performance the type did not gain acceptance from the aircraft industry and so was not put into production. This is the sole remaining CBY-3 and was built by the Canadian Car and Foundry. Unfortunately it lay abandoned, stripped and vandalised for many years at Baltimore Friendship airport (now KBWI) but was acquired by NEAM in 1972. It has recently been superbly restored and is now on display in the Civil Hangar at this wonderful museum.

The Burnelli CBY-3 Loadmaster in flight, wearing its original test registration CF-BEL-X. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

Designed by Burnelli in 1945 and the sole CBY-3 was built by Canadian Car & Foundry. Utilised a wide fuselage between twin booms as a lifting surface. Flew until 1964 initially as CF-BEL. After many years in open storage, as seen here, a long term restoration project for exhibition commenced in 2014.

This head-on view of the sole CBY-3 shows the wide and deep stubby fuselage located behind the engines and between the twin tail booms. Stalling speed was as low as 65 mph.