Curtiss XP-62: Difference between revisions

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The Curtiss XP-62 was a prototype heavily armed, high-performance, single engine fighter aircraft built for the U.S. Army Air Corps by the Curtiss Wright Corporation. The terms of the contract, in accordance with a proposal of April 29, 1941, called for delivery of the first flight within the fifteen months of award, with a guaranteed maximum speed of 468 miles per hour at 27,000 feet. The aircraft was to feature an air-conditioned cockpit and either eight 20 mm cannon or twelve 0.50 inch machine guns. The first of two prototypes was designated XP-62 and the second XP-62A.

On August 2, 1941, the specifications were submitted for the XP-62 reducing the maximum speed to 448 m.p.h. with eight cannon armament and increasing the loaded weight by 1,537 lbs. During a project review of January 1, 1942 under findings of a study that the loaded weight be reduced by eliminating four cannon and removal of the propellor anti-icing equipment. On May 25, 1942 a contract for 100 P-62 fighters was awarded, but on July 27, 1942 the contract was terminated as it would affect deliveries of urgently needed Curtiss-built P-47 Thunderbolts.

Delays in delivery of the unique pressure-cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight of the XP-62 until July 21, 1943. The XP-62A was canceled on September 21, 1943 and only a limited amount of flight testing was conducted with the XP-62. Owing to its low priority work progressed slowly and in the autumn 1944 the XP-62 was scrapped. Because insuffuciant flight testing full performance charactistics were not obtained.

Specifications (Curtiss XP-62, estimates)

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Length: m (39 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: m (53 ft 8 in)
Height: m (16 ft 3 in)
Wing area: m² (420 ft²)
Empty: kg (11,773 lb)
Loaded: kg (14,660 lb)
Maximum takeoff: kg (16,651 lb)
Powerplant: one Wright R-3350-17 Cyclone eighteen cylinder radial air-cooled engine, kW (2,300 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: km/h (448 mi/h @ 27,000 ft)
Range: km (1,500 statute miles)
Service ceiling: m (35,700 ft)
Rate of climb: m/min ( ft/min)
Wing loading: kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: or
Power/mass:

Armament

Planned - four 20 mm cannon

References

William Green (1961). War Planes of the Second World War - Fighters, (Vol 4). London: MacDonald

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 On August 2, 1941, the specifications were submitted for the XP-62 reducing the maximum speed to 448 m.p.h. with eight cannon armament and increasing the loaded weight by 1,537 lbs. During a project review of January 1, [[1942]] under findings of a study that the loaded weight be reduced by eliminating four cannon and removal of the propellor anti-icing equipment. On May 25, 1942 a contract for 100 P-62 fighters was awarded, but on July 27, 1942 the contract was terminated as it would affect deliveries of urgently needed Curtiss-built [[P-47 Thunderbolts]].
-Delays in delivery of the unique pressure-cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight of the XP-62 until July 21, [[1943]]. The XP-62A was canceled on September 21, 1943 and only a limited amount of flight testing was conducted with the XP-62. Owing to its low priority work progressed slowly and in the autumn 1944 the XP-62 was scrapped. Because insuffuciant flight testing full performance charactistics were not obtained.
+Delays in delivery of the unique pressure-cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight of the XP-62 until July 21, [[1943]]. The XP-62A was canceled on September 21, 1943 and only a limited amount of flight testing was conducted with the XP-62. Owing to its low priority work progressed slowly and in the autumn [[1944]] the XP-62 was scrapped. Because insuffuciant flight testing full performance charactistics were not obtained.
 ===Specifications (Curtiss XP-62, estimates)===