Curtiss XP-62

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

XP-62
A Curtiss-XP-62 on the tarmac.
Role Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer Curtiss-Wright
First flight 21 July 1943
Status Cancelled 21 September 1943
Primary user United States Army Air Forces
Produced 1943
Number built 1

Relatively unusual objectives of the design, for its time, included superior high-altitude performance, which was to be assisted by a pressurized cockpit, heavier armament than contemporary USAAF fighter aircraft, in the form of four 20 mm autocannons, and higher speeds, at all altitudes, than other contemporary fighters. A key physical feature of the XP-62, in terms of the above objectives, was its relatively large and powerful engine, an 18-cylinder Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone.

Design and development

The terms of the contract, in accordance with a proposal of 29 April 1941, called for the first flight within fifteen months of the award.

The maximum level flight speed at 27,000 ft (8,230 m) had to be at least 468 mph (753 km/h).

The aircraft was to feature an air-conditioned, pressurized cockpit.

Proposed armament was either eight 20 mm (.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 submitted for the XP-62 reducing the maximum speed to 448 mph (721 km/h) with eight 20 mm (.79 in) cannon armament and increasing the loaded weight by 1,537 lb (697 kg).

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

On 25 May 1942 a contract for 100 P-62 fighters was awarded.

Before construction could begin, the contract was terminated on 27 July 1942, 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 of 1944 the XP-62 was scrapped. Because of insufficient flight testing, full performance characteristics were never obtained.

Specifications (XP-62)

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947[1]

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[2]
  • 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: 157,000 ft (48,000 m) in 6 minutes 36 seconds
  • Wing loading: 35 lb/sq ft (170 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg)

Armament

  • Guns: 4x 20 mm (0.787 in) cannon

See also

Related lists

References
  1. Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. pp. 327–331. ISBN 0370100298.
  2. 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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