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