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{{Inline citations|date=August 2024}}{{short description|Prototype fighter aircraft}}
__NOTOC__
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
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'''.
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = XP-62
| image = XP-62 - Ray Wagner Collection Image (28023153805).jpg
| caption = A Curtiss XP-62 on the tarmac
| type = [[Fighter aircraft|Fighter]] [[Interceptor aircraft|interceptor]]
| manufacturer = [[Curtiss-Wright]]
| designer =
| first_flight = 21 July 1943
| introduction =
| retired =
| status = Cancelled 21 September 1943
| primary_user = [[United States Army Air Forces]]
| more_users =
| produced = 1943
| number_built = 1
| unit cost =
| variants =
}}


The '''Curtiss XP-62''' was a [[prototype]] single-engine [[interceptor aircraft]], that was built for the [[United States Army Air Forces]], by the [[Curtiss-Wright Corporation]]. It first flew in 1943.
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]].


The design sought to have an improved high-altitude performance and higher speeds, at all altitudes, which was to be assisted by the 18-cylinder [[Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone]] engine.<ref name=":0" /> It was to be armed with four {{cvt|20|mm}} [[autocannon]]s, a heavier armament than contemporary USAAF fighter aircraft, and was fitted with a [[pressurized cabin|pressurized cockpit]].
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.


==Design and development==
==Specifications (XP-62)==
The terms of the contract proposal of 29 April 1941 called for the first flight within fifteen months of the award and meet the following objectives.
===General characteristics===
#Maximum level flight speed at {{cvt|27000|ft}} had to exceed {{cvt|468|mph}}.
* '''Crew:''' one, pilot
#It was to feature an [[Air conditioning|air-conditioned]] [[Cabin pressurization|pressurized]] [[cockpit]].
* '''Length:''' 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m)
#Armament to be either eight {{cvt|20|mm}} cannons or twelve {{cvt|0.50|in|1}} machine guns, mounted in the wings.
* '''Wingspan:''' 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m)
* '''Height:''' 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
* '''Wing area:''' 420 ft&sup2; (39.0 m&sup2;)
* '''Empty:''' 11,773 lb (5,340 kg)
* '''Loaded:''' 14,660 lb (6,650 kg)
* '''Maximum takeoff:''' 16,651 lb (7,553 kg)
* '''Powerplant:''' 1&times; [[Wright R-3350]]-17 radial, 2,300 hp (1,716 kW)


Two [[prototype]]s were ordered; the first designated '''XP-62''' and the second designated '''XP-62A'''.
===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/ft&sup2; (171 kg/m&sup2;)
* '''Power/mass:''' 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg)


On 2 August 1941, the specifications were amended for the XP-62, reducing the maximum speed to {{cvt|448|mph}} with eight {{cvt|20|mm}} cannons, and increasing the loaded weight by {{cvt|1537|lb}}.
===Armament===

* 4&times; 20 mm cannon
During a project review of 1 January 1942, the specification was again revised, with the loaded weight reduced by eliminating four cannons and removing the [[propeller (aircraft)|propeller]] [[de-icing]] equipment.

On 25 May 1942 a contract for 100 P-62 fighters was awarded. However, on 27 July 1942, before production could begin, the contract for the P-62 was terminated by the USAAF because of the effect on deliveries of Curtiss-built [[Republic P-47 Thunderbolt|Republic P-47G-CU Thunderbolt]]s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2009 |title=Curtiss XP-62 |url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2266 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010042055/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2266 |archive-date=10 October 2012 |access-date=2 September 2024 |website=National Museum of the U.S. Air Force}}</ref>

While work on the XP-62A continued, it progressed slowly, owing to its low priority. Delays in delivery of the pressure-cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight until 21 July 1943. Only a limited amount of flight testing was carried out before the XP-62A was canceled on 21 September 1943 and full performance characteristics were not obtained. The prototype was scrapped in early 1944.

== Variants ==
;XP-62
:Prototype, 8 x 20 mm cannons
;P-62A
:Planned initial production version, 100-aircraft contract cancelled

==Specifications (XP-62)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947<ref name=Bowers>{{cite book |last1=Bowers |first1=Peter M. |title=Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947 |date=1979 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=0370100298 |pages=327–331}}</ref>
|prime units?=imp
|crew=1
|length ft=39|length in=6
|span ft=53|span in=8
|height ft=16|height in=3
|wing area sqft=420
|airfoil='''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 66-118]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 66-113]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight lb=11775|gross weight lb=16650
|more general=
<!--Powerplant-->
|eng1 number=1|eng1 name=[[Wright R-3350-17 Duplex Cyclone]]|eng1 type=18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine|eng1 hp=2300
|prop blade number=6|prop name=contra-rotating constant-speed propeller
|prop dia ft=|prop dia in=
<!-- Performance -->
|max speed mph=448
|max speed note=at {{cvt|27000|ft}}
|cruise speed mph=
|range miles=1300
|ceiling ft=37500
|climb rate ftmin=
|time to altitude={{cvt|15000|ft}} in 6.9 minutes
|wing loading lb/sqft=35
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.16|hp/lb}}
<!-- Armament -->
|guns= 8 x {{cvt|20|mm|3}} cannon
}}


==Related content==
==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
'''Related development:'''
{{aircontent
|related=
|similar aircraft=
|lists=
* [[List of fighter aircraft]]
* [[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
}}


==References==
'''Comparable aircraft:'''
{{reflist}}
* Green, William. ''War Planes of the Second World War – Fighters, Volume 4''. London: Macdonald. 1961.


==External links==
'''Designation sequence:'''
{{commons category|Curtiss XP-62}}
[[P-59 Airacomet|P-59]] -
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121010042055/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2266 Curtis XP-62] – National Museum of the USAF
[[Curtiss P-60|P-60]] -
*[https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA800803.pdf Wind-Tunnel Tests Of The 1/9-Scale Model Of The Curtiss XP-62 Airplane With Various Vertical Tail Arrangements] – [[DTIC]]
[[P-61 Black Widow|P-61]] -
'''XP-62''' -
[[P-63 Kingcobra|P-63]] -
[[North American P-64|P-64]] -
[[Grumman XP-65|XP-65]]


{{Curtiss aircraft}}
{{airlistbox}}
{{USAF fighters}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Curtiss Xp-62}}
[[Category:U.S. fighter aircraft 1940-1949|P-62]]
[[Category:1940s United States fighter aircraft|Curtiss P-62]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Curtiss aircraft|P-62]]
[[Category:Aircraft with contra-rotating propellers]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1943]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]

Latest revision as of 00:24, 14 December 2024

XP-62
A Curtiss XP-62 on the tarmac
General information
TypeFighter interceptor
ManufacturerCurtiss-Wright
StatusCancelled 21 September 1943
Primary userUnited States Army Air Forces
Number built1
History
Manufactured1943
First flight21 July 1943

The Curtiss XP-62 was a prototype single-engine interceptor aircraft, that was built for the United States Army Air Forces, by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. It first flew in 1943.

The design sought to have an improved high-altitude performance and higher speeds, at all altitudes, which was to be assisted by the 18-cylinder Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone engine.[1] It was to be armed with four 20 mm (0.79 in) autocannons, a heavier armament than contemporary USAAF fighter aircraft, and was fitted with a pressurized cockpit.

Design and development

[edit]

The terms of the contract proposal of 29 April 1941 called for the first flight within fifteen months of the award and meet the following objectives.

  1. Maximum level flight speed at 27,000 ft (8,200 m) had to exceed 468 mph (753 km/h).
  2. It was to feature an air-conditioned pressurized cockpit.
  3. Armament to be either eight 20 mm (0.79 in) cannons or twelve 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns, mounted in the wings.

Two prototypes were ordered; the first designated XP-62 and the second designated XP-62A.

On 2 August 1941, the specifications were amended for the XP-62, reducing the maximum speed to 448 mph (721 km/h) with eight 20 mm (0.79 in) cannons, and increasing the loaded weight by 1,537 lb (697 kg).

During a project review of 1 January 1942, the specification was again revised, with the loaded weight reduced by eliminating four cannons and removing the propeller de-icing equipment.

On 25 May 1942 a contract for 100 P-62 fighters was awarded. However, on 27 July 1942, before production could begin, the contract for the P-62 was terminated by the USAAF because of the effect on deliveries of Curtiss-built Republic P-47G-CU Thunderbolts.[1]

While work on the XP-62A continued, it progressed slowly, owing to its low priority. Delays in delivery of the pressure-cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight until 21 July 1943. Only a limited amount of flight testing was carried out before the XP-62A was canceled on 21 September 1943 and full performance characteristics were not obtained. The prototype was scrapped in early 1944.

Variants

[edit]
XP-62
Prototype, 8 x 20 mm cannons
P-62A
Planned initial production version, 100-aircraft contract cancelled

Specifications (XP-62)

[edit]

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • 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 sq ft (39 m2)
  • Airfoil: root: NACA 66-118; tip: NACA 66-113[3]
  • Empty weight: 11,775 lb (5,341 kg)
  • Gross weight: 16,650 lb (7,552 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-3350-17 Duplex Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,300 hp (1,700 kW)
  • Propellers: 6-bladed contra-rotating constant-speed propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 448 mph (721 km/h, 389 kn) at 27,000 ft (8,200 m)
  • Range: 1,300 mi (2,100 km, 1,100 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 37,500 ft (11,400 m)
  • Time to altitude: 15,000 ft (4,600 m) in 6.9 minutes
  • Wing loading: 35 lb/sq ft (170 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg)

Armament

  • Guns: 8 x 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon

See also

[edit]

Related lists

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Curtiss XP-62". National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. 2009. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  2. ^ Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. pp. 327–331. ISBN 0370100298.
  3. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  • Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War – Fighters, Volume 4. London: Macdonald. 1961.
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