Curtiss XP-62: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Wsk (talk | contribs)
343 edits
m link
Line 1: Line 1:
__NOTOC__
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'''.
The '''[[Curtiss-Wright Corporation|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 in aviation|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]].
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 in aviation|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 in aviation|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 in aviation|1942]] the XP-62 was scrapped. Because of the insuffucient flight testing, full performance charactistics were not obtained.


===Specifications (Curtiss XP-62, estimates)===
==Specifications (XP-62)==
====General characteristics====
===General characteristics===
* '''Crew:''' one, pilot
* '''Crew:''' one, pilot
* '''Length:''' m (39 ft 6 in)
* '''Length:''' 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m)
* '''Wingspan:''' m (53 ft 8 in)
* '''Wingspan:''' 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m)
* '''Height:''' m (16 ft 3 in)
* '''Height:''' 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
* '''Wing area:''' m² (420 ft²)
* '''Wing area:''' 420 ft² (39.0 m²)
* '''Empty:''' kg (11,773 lb)
* '''Empty:''' 11,773 lb (5,340 kg)
* '''Loaded:''' kg (14,660 lb)
* '''Loaded:''' 14,660 lb (6,650 kg)
* '''Maximum takeoff:''' kg (16,651 lb)
* '''Maximum takeoff:''' 16,651 lb (7,553 kg)
* '''Powerplant:''' one Wright R-3350-17 Cyclone eighteen cylinder radial air-cooled engine, kW (2,300 hp)
* '''Powerplant:''' 1× [[Wright R-3350]]-17 radial, 2,300 hp (1,716 kW)


====Performance====
===Performance (estimated)===
* '''Maximum speed:''' km/h (448 mi/h @ 27,000 ft)
* '''Maximum speed:''' 448 mph (721 km/h)
* '''Range:''' km (1,500 statute miles)
* '''Range:''' 1,500 miles (2,414 km)
* '''Service ceiling:''' m (35,700 ft)
* '''Service ceiling:''' 35,700 ft (10,884 m)
* '''Rate of climb:''' m/min ( ft/min)
* '''Rate of climb:''' ft/min ( m/min)
* '''Wing loading:''' kg/m² ( lb/ft²)
* '''Wing loading:''' 35 lb/ft² (171 kg/m²)
* '''Thrust/weight:''' ''or''
* '''Power/mass:''' 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg)
* '''Power/mass:'''


====Armament====
===Armament===
* Planned - four 20 mm cannon
* 4× 20 mm cannon


==Related content==
'''Related development:'''


[[Category: Fighter aircraft 1940-1949]]
'''Comparable aircraft:'''
⚫
[[Category: U.S. fighter aircraft]]
[[Category: U.S. military aircraft 1940-1949]]


'''Designation sequence:'''
[[P-59 Airacomet|P-59]] -
[[Curtiss P-60|P-60]] -
[[P-61 Black Widow|P-61]] -
'''XP-62''' -
[[P-63 Kingcobra|P-63]] -
[[North American P-64|P-64]] -
[[Grumman XP-65|XP-65]]


{{airlistbox}}
==References==

* William Green (1961). ''War Planes of the Second World War - Fighters'', (Vol 4). London: MacDonald
⚫
[[Category:U.S. fighter aircraft 1940-1949|P-62]]

Revision as of 05:26, 24 June 2005

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 1942 the XP-62 was scrapped. Because of the insuffucient flight testing, full performance charactistics were not obtained.

Specifications (XP-62)

General characteristics

  • Crew: one, pilot
  • Length: 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m)
  • Wingspan: 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m)
  • Height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
  • Wing area: 420 ft² (39.0 m²)
  • Empty: 11,773 lb (5,340 kg)
  • Loaded: 14,660 lb (6,650 kg)
  • Maximum takeoff: 16,651 lb (7,553 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Wright R-3350-17 radial, 2,300 hp (1,716 kW)

Performance (estimated)

  • Maximum speed: 448 mph (721 km/h)
  • Range: 1,500 miles (2,414 km)
  • Service ceiling: 35,700 ft (10,884 m)
  • Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
  • Wing loading: 35 lb/ft² (171 kg/m²)
  • Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg)

Armament

  • 4× 20 mm cannon

Related content

Related development:

Comparable aircraft:

Designation sequence: P-59 - P-60 - P-61 - XP-62 - P-63 - P-64 - XP-65

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Curtiss_XP-62&oldid=15733328"