Curtiss YP-20

The Curtiss YP-20 was an American biplane fighter project developed by Curtiss for the United States Army Air Service.

YP-20
Parked YP-20
Role Biplane fighter
Manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
Primary user United States Army Air Service
Number built 1

Design and development

In 1929, three Curtiss P-11 Hawks were ordered with 600 hp (447 kW) Curtiss H-1640 Chieftain engines. These proved a failure, and before completion, the third was converted to use a 9-cylinder 575 hp (429 kW) Wright Cyclone, being completed as the YP-20. Testing with the R1820 was prolonged, so the Army's intention to promptly switch to a Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror engine and redesignate the aircraft XP-22 was dropped; another P-11 was chosen for that instead.

Except for the engine change and its Townend ring cowling, the YP-20 was not drastically different from the P-6 from which both it and the P-11 derived, though the YP-20 had more fin and less rudder area,[1] and featured a steerable tailwheel, rather than the original skid.[2] Later, a crankcase cover, gear strut fairings, and wheel pants were added.

In June 1931, the AAC held a competition to evaluate the P-6, P-12, XP-22, and YP-20. The XP-22 came out the winner, but the YP-20 was given a nose and landing gear graft from the XP-22, becoming the XP-6E (P-6E prototype). With the addition of a supercharger and an enclosed cockpit, it was tested as the XP-6F.

Operators
 United States

Specifications (original YP-20)

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 23 ft 0 in (7.01 m)
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 6 in (9.60 m)
  • Height: 9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)
  • Wing area: 252 sq ft (23.4 m2)
  • Airfoil: 'Clark Y[4]
  • Empty weight: 2,523 lb (1,144 kg)
  • Gross weight: 3,231 lb (1,466 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-1820-9 Cyclone 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 650 hp (480 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 188.6 mph (303.5 km/h, 163.9 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 150 mph (240 km/h, 130 kn)
  • Range: 237 mi (381 km, 206 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 27,800 ft (8,500 m)
  • Rate of climb: 2,600 ft/min (13 m/s)

Armament

References
  1. Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons and Warfare (London: Phoebus, 1978), Volume 12, p.1255.
  2. Fitzsimons, p.1255.
  3. Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. pp. 256–266. ISBN 0370100298.
  4. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Further reading
  • Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons and Warfare. Volume 12, pp. 1255–6, "Hawk, Curtiss Models 34 and 35 (P-1 to P-6 and F6C". London: Phoebus Publishing, 1978.
  • Donald, David, ed. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, ON: Prospero Books, 1997.
  • Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Fighters. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, 1975.
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