Curtiss XP-62

Template:Infobox Aircraft The Curtiss XP-62 was a prototype heavily armed, high-performance, single engine fighter aircraft built for the United States Army Air Corps by the Curtiss Wright Corporation. The terms of the contract, in accordance with a proposal of 29 April 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.

Design and development

On 2 August 1941, the specifications were submitted for the XP-62 reducing the maximum speed to 448 mph with eight cannon armament and increasing the loaded weight by 1,537 lb. 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 propeller anti-icing equipment. On 25 May 1942 a contract for 100 P-62 fighters was awarded, but on 27 July 1942 the contract was terminated as it would affect deliveries of urgently needed Curtiss-built P-47 Thunderbolts.

Testing

Delays in delivery of the unique pressure-cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight of the XP-62 until 21 July 1943. The XP-62A was canceled on 21 September 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: 1

Performance Armament

• Guns: 4× 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon

References

• Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War - Fighters, Volume 4. London: Macdonald. 1961.

External links

• XP-62 information, including a picture from National Museum of the USAF

See also

Related lists

• List of fighter aircraft
• List of military aircraft of the United States