Curtiss XP-42

Last updated
XP-42
Curtiss XP-42 in flight 1945.jpg
RoleEngine cooling research
National originUnited States
Manufacturer Curtiss-Wright
First flightMarch 1939
Number built1
Developed from Curtiss P-36

The Curtiss XP-42 was an experimental fighter built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s to research engine cooling and improving the performance of the Curtiss P-36.

Contents

Design and development

The fourth production P-36 (serial 38-004) became a development platform for a direct successor, designated XP-42 by the USAAC. The XP-42 was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-31 engine fitted with a longer, streamlined cowling and a large propeller spinner. These features attempted to improve the aerodynamics of the air-cooled radial engine.

When the XP-42 first flew in March 1939, it proved to be faster than the P-36. However, the P-40 was faster still and the new nose cowling caused engine cooling problems that proved to be unresolvable, despite at least 12 sets of modifications. The XP-42 project was canceled. However, the XP-42 prototype was retained as a test-bed and was later fitted with an all-moving tail (stabilator), for research purposes.[ when? ] This aircraft was scrapped on July 15, 1947. [1]

Specifications (XP-42)

Data from Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947 [2]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

See also

Related development

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss XP-46</span> 1941 prototype fighter aircraft

The Curtiss XP-46 was a 1940s American prototype fighter aircraft. It was a development of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in an effort to introduce the best features found in European fighter aircraft in 1939 into a fighter aircraft which could succeed the Curtiss P-40, then in production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss XP-62</span> Prototype fighter aircraft

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic XP-72</span> 1944 experimental fighter aircraft

The Republic XP-72 was an American prototype fighter-interceptor developed by Republic Aircraft as a progression of the P-47 Thunderbolt design. The XP-72 was designed around the Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major 28-cylinder air-cooled radial engine with a supercharger mounted behind the pilot and driven by an extension shaft from the engine. The armament consisted of six .50 caliber (12.7 mm) wing-mounted Browning AN/M2 machine guns and underwing racks for two 1,000 lb bombs; Alternative armament packages included two 37 mm M4 autocannons with four .50 caliber AN/M2s, or four M4 autocannons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic XP-69</span> American fighter aircraft project

The Republic XP-69 was an American fighter aircraft proposed by Republic Aviation in 1941 in response to a requirement by the United States Army Air Corps for a high-speed fighter. Manufacturers were encouraged to consider unorthodox designs; although the design was ordered as a prototype it was canceled because of delays with the engine that was to power it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vultee XP-54</span> Prototype fighter aircraft

The Vultee XP-54 Swoose Goose was a prototype fighter built by the Vultee Aircraft Company for the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss P-6 Hawk</span> Fighter aircraft in use by the US Army Air Corps 1929-1937

The Curtiss P-6 Hawk is an American single-engine biplane fighter introduced into service in the late 1920s with the United States Army Air Corps and operated until the late 1930s prior to the outbreak of World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss P-1 Hawk</span> 1923 fighter biplane family by Curtiss

The P-1 Hawk was a 1920s open-cockpit biplane fighter aircraft of the United States Army Air Corps. An earlier variant of the same aircraft had been designated PW-8 prior to 1925.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vought SBU Corsair</span> Type of aircraft

The Vought SBU-1 Corsair was a two-seat, all-metal biplane dive bomber built by Vought Aircraft Company of Dallas, Texas for the US Navy. Its design was based upon the F3U-1 two-seat fighter that was abandoned when the Navy decided not to obtain any more two-seat fighters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss YA-10 Shrike</span> American attack aircraft prototype

The Curtiss YA-10 Shrike was a 1930s United States test and development version of the A-8 Shrike ground-attack aircraft using various radial engines in place of the inline Vee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss SC Seahawk</span> Type of aircraft

The Curtiss SC Seahawk was a scout seaplane designed by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company for the United States Navy during World War II. The existing Curtiss SO3C Seamew and Vought OS2U Kingfisher were gradually replaced by the Seahawk in the late stages of the war and into peacetime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss F6C Hawk</span> Type of aircraft

The Curtiss F6C Hawk was a late 1920s American naval biplane fighter aircraft. It was part of the long line of Curtiss Hawk airplanes built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company for the American military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss F7C Seahawk</span> Type of aircraft

The Curtiss F7C Seahawk was a carrier-capable biplane fighter aircraft of the United States Navy Marine Corps in the late 1920s and early 1930s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VL Pyörremyrsky</span> 1940s Finnish fighter aircraft

The VL Pyörremyrsky ("Hurricane") was a Finnish fighter, designed by DI Torsti Verkkola at the State Aircraft Factory for service with the Finnish Air Force in World War II. The war ended before the type's first flight and only a prototype was built.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas-Morse XP-13 Viper</span> Prototype biplane fighter

The XP-13 Viper was a prototype biplane fighter aircraft designed by the American company Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation. The airplane was delivered to the United States Army in 1929, but they did not adopt it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing P-29</span> Fighter aircraft prototype series by Boeing

The Boeing P-29 and XF7B-1 were an attempt to produce a more advanced version of the highly successful P-26. Although slight gains were made in performance, the U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Navy did not order the aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grumman XSBF</span> 1936 US scout bomber prototype biplane

The Grumman XSBF, also known by the company designation G-14, was an American biplane scout bomber developed by Grumman Aircraft for the United States Navy during the 1930s. Derived from Grumman's successful "Fifi" fighter, the aircraft was developed at a time when the biplane was giving way to the monoplane. In competition against other aircraft it proved to possess inferior performance in its intended role, and did not enter production. The sole prototype went on to serve as a liaison aircraft, as well as being used in experiments by NACA, before being destroyed in a crash in 1939.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss YP-20</span> Prototype biplane fighter

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss YP-37</span> Experimental fighter aircraft

The Curtiss P-37 was an American fighter aircraft made by Curtiss-Wright in 1937 for the US Army Air Corps. A development of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk to use an inline engine instead of the radial engine of the P-36 the fuselage was lengthened and the cockpit moved back. A small number of YP-37 aircraft was built for Air Corps evaluation. The expected top speed was not achieved and the project terminated in favor of the Curtiss P-40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granville Gee Bee R-6</span> Type of aircraft

The Granville Gee Bee R-6 International Super Sportster, named "Q.E.D.", and later named "Conquistador del Cielo", was the last in a series of racing and touring monoplane aircraft from the Granville Brothers. The R-6H was dogged with bad luck throughout its career and never finished any race it entered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtiss-Wright CA-1</span> American biplane amphibian designed by Frank Courtney

The Curtiss CA-1 was an American five-seat biplane amphibian designed by Frank Courtney and built by Curtiss-Wright at St Louis, Missouri.

References

  1. "Forgotten Props - A Warbirds Resource Group Site". www.forgottenprops.warbirdsresourcegroup.org. Retrieved 2019-11-16.[ unreliable source? ]
  2. Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. p. 365. ISBN   978-0370100296.
  3. Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.