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|caption = Curtiss A-8 No.60 of the 13th Attack Squadron
|caption = Curtiss A-8 No.60 of the 13th Attack Squadron
|designer =
|designer =
|first flight =
|first flight = June 1931
|introduced =
|introduced = April 1932
|retired =
|retired =
|produced = 13
|produced = 13
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|variants with their own articles = [[YA-10 Shrike]]<br>[[A-12 Shrike]]
|variants with their own articles = [[YA-10 Shrike]]<br>[[A-12 Shrike]]
}}
}}
The [[Curtiss]] '''A-8''' was designed in response to an [[Army Air Corps]] requirement for an attack aircraft to replace the [[A-3 Falcon]]. The Model 59 "Shrike" was designated XA-8 (the "Shrike" nickname was not officially adopted).
The [[Curtiss]] '''A-8''' was designed in response to a 1929 [[Army Air Corps]] requirement for an attack aircraft to replace the [[A-3 Falcon]]. The '''Model 59''' "Shrike" was designated '''XA-8''' (the "Shrike" nickname was not officially adopted).


==Development==
The XA-8 won a competition against the [[Fokker XA-7]] and 13 service test aircraft were ordered (five as YA-8s and eight as Y1A-8s); upon the completion of testing eleven of these aircraft were redesignated A-8.
The '''XA-8''' won a competition against the [[Fokker XA-7|General Aviation/Fokker XA-7]] and 13 service test aircraft were ordered (five as '''YA-8s''' and eight as '''Y1A-8s'''); upon the completion of testing eleven of these aircraft were redesignated '''A-8'''.


The first Curtiss machine of all-metal low-wing monoplane configuration with advanced features such as automatic leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps.<ref name="world">"The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, (Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152 pp.</ref>
⚫
Four forwards-firing .30 [[machine gun]]s were mounted in the wheel fairings, and an additional weapon of the same calibre was fitted in the observer's cockpit for rear defense. The standard bomb load was four 122-pound bombs.


⚫
Four forward-firing .30 cal [[machine gun]]s were mounted in the wheel fairings, and an additional weapon of the same calibre was fitted in the observer's cockpit for rear defense. The standard bomb load was four 100-pound bombs.<ref name="ohnine">"United States Military Aircraft Since 1909" by F. G. Swanborough & Peter M. Bowers (Putnam New York, ISBN 085177816X) 1964, 596 pp.</ref>
⚫
One YA-8 was fitted with a [[radial engine]] and designated [[YA-10 Shrike|YA-10]], while another was used for testing of the Curtiss [[V-1570]] Conqueror engine as the Y1A-8A. This aircraft was redesignated A-8 upon the completion of testing.

⚫
One '''YA-8''' was fitted with a [[radial engine]] and designated [[YA-10 Shrike|YA-10]], while another was used for testing of the Curtiss [[V-1570]] Conqueror engine as the '''Y1A-8A'''. This aircraft was redesignated '''A-8''' upon the completion of testing.


46 aircraft were ordered as A-8Bs, however the order was changed to [[A-12 Shrike|A-12s]] before production began.
46 aircraft were ordered as A-8Bs, however the order was changed to [[A-12 Shrike|A-12s]] before production began.

==Operational History==
The '''A-8''' created a sensation in US aviation circles when they went into service with the 3rd Attack Group at Fort Crockett, Texas in April 1932. All other standard aircraft were of biplane configuration, and the first monoplane fighter ([[P-26 Peashooter|Boeing P-26A]]) did not become operational until eight months later.<ref name="world">"The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, (Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152 pp.</ref>

==Variants==
;XA-8: Model 59, one prototype, serial number 30-387, length 32 ft 6 in (9.906 m), wingspan 44 ft (13.4 m), gross weight 5,413 lb (2,455.3 kg) [[Curtiss V-1570]]-23 direct drive engine<ref name="fahey">"U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.</ref>
;YA-8: service test aircraft, 5 built, serial numbers 32-344 to 32-348, gross weight 5,706 lb (2,588 kg)<ref name="fahey">"U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.</ref>, one was reworked as the [[YA-10 Shrike|YA-10]] prototype with the 625 hp (466 kW) Pratt & Whitney Hornet radial engine<ref name="world">"The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, (Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152 pp.</ref>
;Y1A-8: service test aircraft, 8 built, gross weight 5,710 lb (2,590 kg)<ref name="fahey">"U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.</ref>
;A-8: 12 redesignated YA-8 and Y1A-8 aircraft<ref name="fahey">"U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.</ref>
;Y1A-8A: last Y1A-8 with Curtiss V-1570-57 geared engine, length 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m), gross weight 6,287 lb (2,851.8 kg)<ref name="fahey">"U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.</ref>
;A-8A: redesignated Y1A-8A aircraft<ref name="fahey">"U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.</ref>
;A-8B: cancelled, replaced by [[A-12 Shrike]]<ref name="fahey">"U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.</ref>

==Operators==
;{{flag|United States|1912}}
*[[United States Army Air Corps]]


==Specifications (A-8)==
==Specifications (A-8)==
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|plane or copter?= plane
|plane or copter?= plane
|jet or prop?= prop
|jet or prop?= prop
|ref="U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.
|ref="U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, page 20.
|crew= Two
|crew= Two
|capacity=
|capacity=
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|max takeoff weight alt=
|max takeoff weight alt=
|more general=
|more general=
|engine (prop)= [[Curtiss V-1570]]-31
|engine (prop)= [[Curtiss V-1570]]-31 Conqueror
|type of prop= Vee
|type of prop= Vee
|number of props= 1
|number of props= 1
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|more performance=
|more performance=
|armament=
|armament=
* Four forward-firing 0.3 in (7.62 mm) [[machine gun]]s were mounted in the wheel fairings
* One 0.3 in (7.62 mm) [[machine gun]] mounted in the observer's cockpit for rear defense
* Up to four 100 lb (45 kg) bombs or ten 30 lb (13.6 kg) bombs carried under the wings<ref name="ohnine">"United States Military Aircraft Since 1909" by F. G. Swanborough & Peter M. Bowers (Putnam New York, ISBN 085177816X) 1964, 596 pp.</ref>
|avionics=
|avionics=
}}
}}



{{aero-specs}}
{{aero-specs}}

==References==
{{reflist}}


==Related content==
==Related content==

Revision as of 00:13, 9 September 2007

Template:Infobox Aircraft The Curtiss A-8 was designed in response to a 1929 Army Air Corps requirement for an attack aircraft to replace the A-3 Falcon. The Model 59 "Shrike" was designated XA-8 (the "Shrike" nickname was not officially adopted).

Development

The XA-8 won a competition against the General Aviation/Fokker XA-7 and 13 service test aircraft were ordered (five as YA-8s and eight as Y1A-8s); upon the completion of testing eleven of these aircraft were redesignated A-8.

The first Curtiss machine of all-metal low-wing monoplane configuration with advanced features such as automatic leading-edge slats and trailing-edge flaps.[1]

Four forward-firing .30 cal machine guns were mounted in the wheel fairings, and an additional weapon of the same calibre was fitted in the observer's cockpit for rear defense. The standard bomb load was four 100-pound bombs.[2]

One YA-8 was fitted with a radial engine and designated YA-10, while another was used for testing of the Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror engine as the Y1A-8A. This aircraft was redesignated A-8 upon the completion of testing.

46 aircraft were ordered as A-8Bs, however the order was changed to A-12s before production began.

Operational History

The A-8 created a sensation in US aviation circles when they went into service with the 3rd Attack Group at Fort Crockett, Texas in April 1932. All other standard aircraft were of biplane configuration, and the first monoplane fighter (Boeing P-26A) did not become operational until eight months later.[1]

Variants

XA-8
Model 59, one prototype, serial number 30-387, length 32 ft 6 in (9.906 m), wingspan 44 ft (13.4 m), gross weight 5,413 lb (2,455.3 kg) Curtiss V-1570-23 direct drive engine[3]
YA-8
service test aircraft, 5 built, serial numbers 32-344 to 32-348, gross weight 5,706 lb (2,588 kg)[3], one was reworked as the YA-10 prototype with the 625 hp (466 kW) Pratt & Whitney Hornet radial engine[1]
Y1A-8
service test aircraft, 8 built, gross weight 5,710 lb (2,590 kg)[3]
A-8
12 redesignated YA-8 and Y1A-8 aircraft[3]
Y1A-8A
last Y1A-8 with Curtiss V-1570-57 geared engine, length 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m), gross weight 6,287 lb (2,851.8 kg)[3]
A-8A
redesignated Y1A-8A aircraft[3]
A-8B
cancelled, replaced by A-12 Shrike[3]

Operators

 United States

Specifications (A-8)

Data from "U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, page 20.

General characteristics

  • Crew: Two

Performance Armament

  • Four forward-firing 0.3 in (7.62 mm) machine guns were mounted in the wheel fairings
  • One 0.3 in (7.62 mm) machine gun mounted in the observer's cockpit for rear defense
  • Up to four 100 lb (45 kg) bombs or ten 30 lb (13.6 kg) bombs carried under the wings[2]


This aircraft article is missing some (or all) of its specifications. If you have a source, you can help Wikipedia by adding them.

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, (Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152 pp.
  2. ^ a b "United States Military Aircraft Since 1909" by F. G. Swanborough & Peter M. Bowers (Putnam New York, ISBN 085177816X) 1964, 596 pp.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946" by James C. Fahey, 1946, 64pp.

Related content

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

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