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{{short description|Prototype all-weather interceptor}}
{{Short description|Prototype all-weather interceptor}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2024}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{|{{Infobox Aircraft Begin
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = XF-87 Blackhawk
|name = XF-87 Blackhawk
|image = Curtiss XF-87 Blackhawk.jpg
|image = File:Curtiss XF-87 Blackhawk.jpg
|image_border = yes
|caption =
|caption =
}}{{Infobox Aircraft Type
|type = Interceptor
|type = [[Interceptor aircraft]]
|national_origin= United States
|manufacturer = [[Curtiss-Wright]]
|manufacturer = [[Curtiss-Wright]]
|designer =
|designer =
|first flight = 1 March 1948
|first_flight = 5 March 1948
|introduction =
|introduction =
|retired =
|retired =
|status = Cancelled 10 October 1948
|status = Canceled 10 October 1948
|primary user = [[U.S. Air Force]]
|primary_user = [[U.S. Air Force]]
|more users =
|more_users =
|produced =
|produced =
|number built = 2
|unit cost =
|number_built = 2
|variants =
|program cost = [[US$]]11.3 million <ref name="knaack p315">Knaack 1978, p. 315.</ref>
|variants with their own articles =
}}
}}
|}


The '''Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk''' (previously designated the '''XP-87''') was a prototype [[United States|American]] all-weather jet [[fighter interceptor]] and the company's last aircraft project.<ref>Winchester 2005, pp. 72–73.</ref> Designed as a replacement for the [[World War II]]–era propeller-driven [[P-61 Black Widow]] night/interceptor aircraft, the XF-87 lost in government procurement competition to the [[Northrop F-89 Scorpion]]. The loss of the contract was fatal to the company; the [[Curtiss-Wright Corporation]] closed down its aviation division, selling its assets to [[North American Aviation]].
The '''Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk''' (previously designated the '''XP-87''') was a prototype American all-weather jet [[interceptor aircraft|fighter-interceptor]], and the company's last aircraft project.<ref>Winchester 2005, pp. 72–73.</ref> Designed as a replacement for the [[World War II]]–era propeller-driven [[P-61 Black Widow]] night/interceptor aircraft, the XF-87 lost in government procurement competition to the [[Northrop F-89 Scorpion]]. The loss of the contract was fatal to the company; the [[Curtiss-Wright Corporation]] closed down its aviation division, selling its assets to [[North American Aviation]].


==Design and development==
==Design and development==
The aircraft started life as a project for an [[attack aircraft]], designated '''XA-43'''. When the [[United States Army Air Forces]] issued a requirement for a jet-powered all-weather fighter in 1945, the design was reworked for that request.
The aircraft started life as a project for an [[attack aircraft]], designated '''XA-43'''. When the [[United States Army Air Forces]] issued a requirement for a jet-powered all-weather fighter in 1945, the design was reworked for that request.


The XP-87 was a large mid-wing aircraft with four engines paired in underwing pods, with a [[empennage#Tail configurations|mid-mounted tailplane]] and [[tricycle undercarriage]]. Two crew members (pilot and radar operator) sat side by side under a single [[Aircraft canopy|canopy]]. Armament was to be a nose-mounted, powered turret containing four 20&nbsp;mm (0.79&nbsp;in) cannon, but this was never fitted to the prototypes.
The XP-87 was a large mid-wing aircraft with four engines paired in underwing pods, with a [[empennage#Tail configurations|mid-mounted tailplane]] and [[tricycle undercarriage]]. Two crew members (pilot and radar operator) sat side by side under a single [[Aircraft canopy|canopy]]. Armament was to be a nose-mounted, powered turret containing four 20&nbsp;mm (0.79&nbsp;in) cannon, but this was never fitted to the prototypes. Instead the aircraft was armed with four fixed forward firing 20mm cannon.<ref>Bowers, Curtiss Aircraft, pp.509-510</ref>


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
The first flight of the XF-87 Blackhawk was on 1 March 1948.<ref>Associated Press, "Four-Jet Fighter, Weighing as Much As B-17, Tested", ''San Bernardino Daily Sun'', San Bernardino, California, Tuesday 2 March 1948, Volume LIV, Number 158, page 1.</ref> Although the top speed was slower than expected, the aircraft was otherwise acceptable, and the newly formed (in September 1947) [[United States Air Force]] placed orders for 57 '''F-87A''' fighters and 30 '''RF-87A''' reconnaissance aircraft just over a month later. Since the performance problems were due to lack of power, the four [[Westinghouse J34|Westinghouse XJ34-WE-7]] [[turbojet]]s of the prototypes were to be substituted for two [[General Electric J47]] jets in production models. One of the two XF-87 prototypes was to be modified as a test bed for the new engines.
The first flight of the XF-87 Blackhawk was on 5 March 1948.<ref>Associated Press, "Four-Jet Fighter, Weighing as Much As B-17, Tested", ''San Bernardino Daily Sun'', San Bernardino, California, Tuesday 2 March 1948, Volume LIV, Number 158, page 1.</ref> Although the top speed was slower than expected, the aircraft was otherwise acceptable, and the newly formed (in September 1947) [[United States Air Force]] placed orders for 57 '''F-87A''' fighters and 30 '''RF-87A''' reconnaissance aircraft just over a month later. Since the performance problems were due to lack of power, the four [[Westinghouse J34|Westinghouse XJ34-WE-7]] [[turbojet]]s of the prototypes were to be substituted for two [[General Electric J47]] jets in production models. One of the two XF-87 prototypes was to be modified as a test bed for the new engines.


At this point, the USAF decided that the [[Northrop F-89 Scorpion]] was a more promising aircraft. The F-87 contract was cancelled on 10 October 1948, and both prototypes were scrapped.
At this point, the USAF decided that the [[Northrop F-89 Scorpion]] was a more promising aircraft. The F-87 contract was canceled on 10 October 1948, and both prototypes were scrapped.


==Variants==
==Variants==
Line 39: Line 37:
[[File:Curtiss XP-87 on ramp.jpg|thumb|right|XP-87 on ramp with C-47s and B-17s in background]]
[[File:Curtiss XP-87 on ramp.jpg|thumb|right|XP-87 on ramp with C-47s and B-17s in background]]
; XP-87
; XP-87
: First flight was March 1, 1948
: First flight was March 5, 1948


; XF-87
; XF-87
Line 52: Line 50:
==Specifications (XF-87 No.1)==
==Specifications (XF-87 No.1)==
{{Aircraft specs
{{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=508-510}}</ref>
|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=508–510}}</ref>
|prime units?=imp
|prime units?=imp
<!--
<!--
Line 144: Line 142:


==References==
==References==
;Notes
===Notes===
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


;Bibliography
===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
{{Refbegin}}
* Angelucci, Enzo and Peter Bowers. ''The American Fighter: The Definitive Guide To American Fighter Aircraft From 1917 To The Present''. New York: Orion Books, 1987. {{ISBN|0-517-56588-9}}.
* Bowers, Peter M. ''Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947''. London: Putnam, 1979. {{ISBN|0-370-10029-8}}.
* Bowers, Peter M. ''Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947''. London: Putnam, 1979. {{ISBN|0-370-10029-8}}.
* Buttler, Tony. ''American Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945–1978''. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2008, First edition, 2007. {{ISBN|978-1-85780-264-1}}.
* Buttler, Tony. ''American Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945–1978''. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2008, First edition, 2007. {{ISBN|978-1-85780-264-1}}.
* Jenkins, Dennis R. and Tony R. Landis. ''Experimental & Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters''. North Branch, Minnesota, USA: Specialty Press, 2008. {{ISBN|978-1-58007-111-6}}.
* Jenkins, Dennis R. and Tony R. Landis. ''Experimental & Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters''. North Branch, Minnesota, USA: Specialty Press, 2008. {{ISBN|978-1-58007-111-6}}.
* Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. ''The Great Book Of Fighters: An encyclopedia of every fighter aircraft built and flown''. Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing Company, 2001. {{ISBN|0-7603-1194-3}}.
* Knaack, Marcelle Size. ''Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 Post-World War II Fighters 1945–1973''. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1978. {{ISBN|0-912799-59-5}}.
* Knaack, Marcelle Size. ''Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 Post-World War II Fighters 1945–1973''. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1978. {{ISBN|0-912799-59-5}}.
* Pace, Steve. ''X-Fighters: USAF Experimental and Prototype Fighters, XP-59 to YF-23''. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA: Motorbooks International, 1991. {{ISBN|0-87938-540-5}}.
* Pace, Steve. ''X-Fighters: USAF Experimental and Prototype Fighters, XP-59 to YF-23''. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA: Motorbooks International, 1991. {{ISBN|0-87938-540-5}}.
* Winchester, Jim. ''Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft''. Rochester, Kent, UK: Grange books plc, 2005. {{ISBN|1-84013-809-2}}.
* Winchester, Jim. ''Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft''. Rochester, Kent, UK: Grange books plc, 2005. {{ISBN|1-84013-809-2}}.
{{refend}}
{{Refend}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Curtiss XF-87 Blackhawk}}
{{Commons category|Curtiss XF-87 Blackhawk}}
* [http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/p87.html Curtiss XP-87/XF-87 Blackhawk]
* [http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/p87.html Curtiss XP-87/XF-87 Blackhawk]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060512060905/http://fire.prohosting.com/hud607/uncommon/aircraft/f-87/index.html Uncommon Aircraft: XF-87 Blackhawk]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060512060905/http://fire.prohosting.com/hud607/uncommon/aircraft/f-87/index.html Uncommon Aircraft: XF-87 Blackhawk]
Line 166: Line 166:
{{USAF fighters}}
{{USAF fighters}}
{{USAF attack aircraft}}
{{USAF attack aircraft}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Curtiss aircraft|F-087 Blackhawk]]
[[Category:Curtiss aircraft|F-087 Blackhawk]]
Line 173: Line 174:
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Mid-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1948]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1948]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear]]

Latest revision as of 22:23, 14 December 2024

XF-87 Blackhawk
General information
TypeInterceptor aircraft
National originUnited States
ManufacturerCurtiss-Wright
StatusCanceled 10 October 1948
Primary userU.S. Air Force
Number built2
History
First flight5 March 1948

The Curtiss-Wright XF-87 Blackhawk (previously designated the XP-87) was a prototype American all-weather jet fighter-interceptor, and the company's last aircraft project.[1] Designed as a replacement for the World War II–era propeller-driven P-61 Black Widow night/interceptor aircraft, the XF-87 lost in government procurement competition to the Northrop F-89 Scorpion. The loss of the contract was fatal to the company; the Curtiss-Wright Corporation closed down its aviation division, selling its assets to North American Aviation.

Design and development

[edit]

The aircraft started life as a project for an attack aircraft, designated XA-43. When the United States Army Air Forces issued a requirement for a jet-powered all-weather fighter in 1945, the design was reworked for that request.

The XP-87 was a large mid-wing aircraft with four engines paired in underwing pods, with a mid-mounted tailplane and tricycle undercarriage. Two crew members (pilot and radar operator) sat side by side under a single canopy. Armament was to be a nose-mounted, powered turret containing four 20 mm (0.79 in) cannon, but this was never fitted to the prototypes. Instead the aircraft was armed with four fixed forward firing 20mm cannon.[2]

Operational history

[edit]

The first flight of the XF-87 Blackhawk was on 5 March 1948.[3] Although the top speed was slower than expected, the aircraft was otherwise acceptable, and the newly formed (in September 1947) United States Air Force placed orders for 57 F-87A fighters and 30 RF-87A reconnaissance aircraft just over a month later. Since the performance problems were due to lack of power, the four Westinghouse XJ34-WE-7 turbojets of the prototypes were to be substituted for two General Electric J47 jets in production models. One of the two XF-87 prototypes was to be modified as a test bed for the new engines.

At this point, the USAF decided that the Northrop F-89 Scorpion was a more promising aircraft. The F-87 contract was canceled on 10 October 1948, and both prototypes were scrapped.

Variants

[edit]
XP-87 following nosewheel collapse
XP-87 on ramp with C-47s and B-17s in background
XP-87
First flight was March 5, 1948
XF-87
Redesignated XP-87
F-87A
Production fighter version (canceled)
RF-87A
Reconnaissance variant (canceled)

Specifications (XF-87 No.1)

[edit]

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2
  • Length: 62 ft 10 in (19.15 m)
  • Wingspan: 60 ft 0 in (18.29 m)
  • Height: 20 ft 0 in (6.10 m)
  • Wing area: 600 sq ft (56 m2)
  • Empty weight: 25,930 lb (11,762 kg)
  • Gross weight: 49,900 lb (22,634 kg)
  • Powerplant: 4 × Westinghouse XJ34-WE-7 turbojet engines, 3,000 lbf (13 kN) thrust each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 600 mph (970 km/h, 520 kn) at sea level
  • Range: 1,000 mi (1,600 km, 870 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,000 m)
  • Time to altitude: 35,000 ft (11,000 m) in 13 minutes 48 seconds

Armament

See also

[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Winchester 2005, pp. 72–73.
  2. ^ Bowers, Curtiss Aircraft, pp.509-510
  3. ^ Associated Press, "Four-Jet Fighter, Weighing as Much As B-17, Tested", San Bernardino Daily Sun, San Bernardino, California, Tuesday 2 March 1948, Volume LIV, Number 158, page 1.
  4. ^ Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. pp. 508–510. ISBN 0370100298.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Angelucci, Enzo and Peter Bowers. The American Fighter: The Definitive Guide To American Fighter Aircraft From 1917 To The Present. New York: Orion Books, 1987. ISBN 0-517-56588-9.
  • Bowers, Peter M. Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947. London: Putnam, 1979. ISBN 0-370-10029-8.
  • Buttler, Tony. American Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945–1978. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing, 2008, First edition, 2007. ISBN 978-1-85780-264-1.
  • Jenkins, Dennis R. and Tony R. Landis. Experimental & Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters. North Branch, Minnesota, USA: Specialty Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58007-111-6.
  • Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. The Great Book Of Fighters: An encyclopedia of every fighter aircraft built and flown. Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing Company, 2001. ISBN 0-7603-1194-3.
  • Knaack, Marcelle Size. Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 Post-World War II Fighters 1945–1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History, 1978. ISBN 0-912799-59-5.
  • Pace, Steve. X-Fighters: USAF Experimental and Prototype Fighters, XP-59 to YF-23. St. Paul, Minnesota, USA: Motorbooks International, 1991. ISBN 0-87938-540-5.
  • Winchester, Jim. Concept Aircraft: Prototypes, X-Planes and Experimental Aircraft. Rochester, Kent, UK: Grange books plc, 2005. ISBN 1-84013-809-2.
[edit]
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