In the years leading up to World War II, the United States Army Air Corps were interested in attack aircraft capable of carrying larger bomb loads with greater firepower. The attack aircraft design standard essentially became a light bomber with firepower only slightly less than the medium bombers being developed as the standard .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun generally was replaced by .50 in (12.7 mm) ones on new aircraft in development.[3]
The Curtiss YA-14 prototype that emerged in 1935 was one of the first single-mission attack aircraft. Although it looked purposeful with its slender fuselage, thin nose, and sleek streamlining, the A-14 was hampered by a lack of power, despite its two 775 hp (578 kW) Wright Whirlwindradial engines. Nevertheless, the prototype was able to achieve a maximum speed of 254 mph (409 km/h), outstripping the front line Boeing P-26 Peashooterfighter by 20 mph (32 km/h).[3] Re-engined with 735 hp (548 kW) Curtiss R-1670-5 engines, it was delivered to the Army under serial number 36-146.[4]
Operational historyedit
A Y1A-18
A newly improved variant, the Y1A-18, had upgraded 850 hp (630 kW) Wright R-1820-47 radial engines with three-blade propellers replacing the original two-blade models. Thirteen aircraft were produced, serial numbers 37-52 through 37-64,[4] at a contract cost of $1,259,235.00,[5] with the first example produced (Y1A-18) first flight occurring on July 3,1935; and although successful in testing, no further production was ordered due to a lack of funds as well as the availability of more advanced aircraft (such as the Douglas A-20 Havoc) under design.
After completion of service testing, the Y1A-18s were redesignated A-18. They were assigned to the 8th Attack Squadron, 3rd Attack Group at Barksdale Field, Louisiana in 1937.[6] The squadron won the coveted Harmon Trophy for gunnery and bombing accuracy in their first year of service.[7][8] During its service with the 8th Attack Squadron, the retractable landing gear of the A-18 had an inherent weakness, with no less than eight of the 13 A-18s suffering from a landing gear collapse on landing or roll-out.[7] The last of the A-18s with the 8th were replaced by early-model A-20 Havocs in 1941.[6]
The A-18 was only used for a short time before being replaced by more advanced attack aircraft. After its service with the 8th AS, the aircraft were assigned to several Light Bombardment Squadrons during 1940-42, likely being used as support aircraft. The last A-18 Shrike II was retired from front line squadrons in 1942; none of the aircraft were ever used in combat.[6][9]
Lastly, four of the A-18s (37-52, 37-56, 37-61, and one other un-identified) were assigned to the Caribbean Air Force in late November 1941 and were based initially at Albrook Field. Three of the aircraft were first assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, 12th Pursuit Wing, while the fourth aircraft was assigned to HHS Bomber Command (later VI Bomber Command) at Albrook. The aircraft remained with these units though February 1942.[10]
By December 1942, two or three of the aircraft were still airworthy. One was employed as a tow target tug, the other two were operated as reconnaissance aircraft by the 108th Reconnaissance Squadron (Special) from Howard Field, patrolling the approaches to the Panama Canal. A-18 37-61 was damaged in a landing accident at Albrook field on 22 February 1943,[11] and cannibalization kept at least one aircraft flying until it was grounded due to a lack of spare parts. Serial 37-56 was transferred to instructional airframe training at Howard. All were eventually scrapped in the Canal Zone by the end of 1943.[10]
^Editors, "New Airplanes For The Army Air Corps", Air Corps News Letter, Information Division, Air Corps, Munitions Building, Washington, D.C., 1 August 1936, Volume XIX, Number 15, page 23.
^ abcdMaurer, Maurer."Combat Squadrons of the Air Force: World War II." March 25, 2009, at the Wayback MachineOffice of Air Force History,Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 1982.
^ abBoyne, Col. Walter J., USAF (Ret). "Rare Bird: The Curtiss A-18." 2012-07-31 at the Wayback MachineThe Surly Bonds of Earth: Website of Col. Walter J. Boyne, USAF (Ret), 26 October 2011. Retrieved: 23 October 2012.
^ abHagedorn, Dan. Alae Supra a Canalem: Wings Over The Canal, The 6th Air Force and the Antilles Air Command. Paducah, Kentucky: Turner Publishing Co., 1995. ISBN1-56311-153-5.
^"A-18 Shrike." USAF Serial Search. Retrieved: 23 October 2012.
^Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. pp. 365–368. ISBN0370100298.
Bibliographyedit
Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng, eds. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002, ISBN0-7607-3432-1.
Fahey, James C.U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. New York: Ships and Aircraft, 1946.
Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. "Vol. 21." The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the 20th Century Weapons and Warfare. London: Purnell & Sons Ltd., 1967/1969. ISBN0-8393-6175-0.
Swanborough, F. G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft Since 1909. New York: Putnam, 1964. ISBN0-85177-816-X.
Wagner, Ray (1982). American combat planes (3d, enl. ed.). Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday. ISBN0-385-13120-8.
Andrade, John M. . U.S Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leicester : Midland Counties Publications, First edition 1979. ISBN0 904597 22 9.
External linksedit
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December 20, 2023
curtiss, shrike, curtiss, model, shrike, 1930s, united, states, twin, engine, ground, attack, aircraft, production, test, version, that, company, shrike, shrike, iicurtiss, assigned, wright, field, probably, during, testing, role, ground, attack, aircraftmanuf. The Curtiss A 18 Model 76A Shrike II was a 1930s United States twin engine ground attack aircraft It was the production test version of that company s A 14 Shrike A 18 Shrike IICurtiss A 18 No 37 52 assigned to Wright Field Y1A 18 probably during testing Role Ground attack aircraftManufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor CompanyFirst flight 3 July 1935 1 Retired 1943Status Service testPrimary user United States Army Air CorpsNumber built 13 2 Developed from Curtiss XA 14 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 3 Operators 4 Specifications Y1A 18 5 See also 6 References 6 1 Notes 6 2 Bibliography 7 External linksDesign and development editIn the years leading up to World War II the United States Army Air Corps were interested in attack aircraft capable of carrying larger bomb loads with greater firepower The attack aircraft design standard essentially became a light bomber with firepower only slightly less than the medium bombers being developed as the standard 30 in 7 62 mm machine gun generally was replaced by 50 in 12 7 mm ones on new aircraft in development 3 The Curtiss YA 14 prototype that emerged in 1935 was one of the first single mission attack aircraft Although it looked purposeful with its slender fuselage thin nose and sleek streamlining the A 14 was hampered by a lack of power despite its two 775 hp 578 kW Wright Whirlwind radial engines Nevertheless the prototype was able to achieve a maximum speed of 254 mph 409 km h outstripping the front line Boeing P 26 Peashooter fighter by 20 mph 32 km h 3 Re engined with 735 hp 548 kW Curtiss R 1670 5 engines it was delivered to the Army under serial number 36 146 4 Operational history edit nbsp A Y1A 18A newly improved variant the Y1A 18 had upgraded 850 hp 630 kW Wright R 1820 47 radial engines with three blade propellers replacing the original two blade models Thirteen aircraft were produced serial numbers 37 52 through 37 64 4 at a contract cost of 1 259 235 00 5 with the first example produced Y1A 18 first flight occurring on July 3 1935 and although successful in testing no further production was ordered due to a lack of funds as well as the availability of more advanced aircraft such as the Douglas A 20 Havoc under design After completion of service testing the Y1A 18s were redesignated A 18 They were assigned to the 8th Attack Squadron 3rd Attack Group at Barksdale Field Louisiana in 1937 6 The squadron won the coveted Harmon Trophy for gunnery and bombing accuracy in their first year of service 7 8 During its service with the 8th Attack Squadron the retractable landing gear of the A 18 had an inherent weakness with no less than eight of the 13 A 18s suffering from a landing gear collapse on landing or roll out 7 The last of the A 18s with the 8th were replaced by early model A 20 Havocs in 1941 6 The A 18 was only used for a short time before being replaced by more advanced attack aircraft After its service with the 8th AS the aircraft were assigned to several Light Bombardment Squadrons during 1940 42 likely being used as support aircraft The last A 18 Shrike II was retired from front line squadrons in 1942 none of the aircraft were ever used in combat 6 9 Lastly four of the A 18s 37 52 37 56 37 61 and one other un identified were assigned to the Caribbean Air Force in late November 1941 and were based initially at Albrook Field Three of the aircraft were first assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron 12th Pursuit Wing while the fourth aircraft was assigned to HHS Bomber Command later VI Bomber Command at Albrook The aircraft remained with these units though February 1942 10 By December 1942 two or three of the aircraft were still airworthy One was employed as a tow target tug the other two were operated as reconnaissance aircraft by the 108th Reconnaissance Squadron Special from Howard Field patrolling the approaches to the Panama Canal A 18 37 61 was damaged in a landing accident at Albrook field on 22 February 1943 11 and cannibalization kept at least one aircraft flying until it was grounded due to a lack of spare parts Serial 37 56 was transferred to instructional airframe training at Howard All were eventually scrapped in the Canal Zone by the end of 1943 10 Operators edit nbsp United StatesUnited States Army Air Corps 6 8th Attack Squadron 1937 1941 15th Bombardment Squadron Light 1940 16th Bombardment Squadron Light 1940 1941 24th Bombardment Squadron Light 1940 1942 55th Bombardment Squadron Light 1942 56th Bombardment Squadron Light 1941 57th Bombardment Squadron Light 1941 89th Bombardment Squadron Light 1941 108th Reconnaissance Squadron 1942 1943 128th Observation Squadron 1941 1942Specifications Y1A 18 editData from Curtiss Aircraft 1907 1947 12 The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft 9 General characteristicsCrew 2 Length 41 ft 0 in 12 50 m Height 11 ft 6 in 3 51 m Wing area 530 sq ft 49 m2 Empty weight 9 580 lb 4 345 kg Gross weight 12 849 lb 5 828 kg Powerplant 2 Wright R 1820 47 Cyclone 9 cylinder air cooled radial piston engines 850 hp 630 kW each Propellers 3 bladed two position variable pitch propellersPerformance Maximum speed 247 mph 398 km h 215 kn at 2 500 ft 760 m Cruise speed 217 mph 349 km h 189 kn Range 651 mi 1 048 km 566 nmi Service ceiling 25 000 ft 7 600 m Armament 4 forward firing 30 in 7 62 mm M1919 Browning machine guns 1 aft firing 30 in 7 62 mm machine gun 400 lb 181 kg bombs in two wing bays 200 lb 91 kg bombs or chemical smoke tanks underwingSee also edit nbsp Aviation portalRelated development Curtiss XA 14Aircraft of comparable role configuration and era Bloch MB 170 Bristol Blenheim Dornier Do 17 Tupolev SBRelated lists List of aircraft of World War II List of military aircraft of the United StatesReferences editNotes edit Wagner 1982 p 171 Fahey 1946 p 21 a b McCullough Anson Grind Em Out Ground Attack The Search for the Elusive Fighter Bomber Wings Vol 25 No 4 August 1995 a b Swanborough and Bowers 1964 p 231 Editors New Airplanes For The Army Air Corps Air Corps News Letter Information Division Air Corps Munitions Building Washington D C 1 August 1936 Volume XIX Number 15 page 23 a b c d Maurer Maurer Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II Archived March 25 2009 at the Wayback Machine Office of Air Force History Maxwell Air Force Base Alabama 1982 a b Boyne Col Walter J USAF Ret Rare Bird The Curtiss A 18 Archived 2012 07 31 at the Wayback Machine The Surly Bonds of Earth Website of Col Walter J Boyne USAF Ret 26 October 2011 Retrieved 23 October 2012 Fitzsimons 1967 1969 p 2324 a b Eden and Moeng 2002 p 517 a b Hagedorn Dan Alae Supra a Canalem Wings Over The Canal The 6th Air Force and the Antilles Air Command Paducah Kentucky Turner Publishing Co 1995 ISBN 1 56311 153 5 A 18 Shrike USAF Serial Search Retrieved 23 October 2012 Bowers Peter M 1979 Curtiss aircraft 1907 1947 London Putnam pp 365 368 ISBN 0370100298 Bibliography edit Eden Paul and Soph Moeng eds The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft London Amber Books Ltd 2002 ISBN 0 7607 3432 1 Fahey James C U S Army Aircraft 1908 1946 New York Ships and Aircraft 1946 Fitzsimons Bernard ed Vol 21 The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the 20th Century Weapons and Warfare London Purnell amp Sons Ltd 1967 1969 ISBN 0 8393 6175 0 Swanborough F G and Peter M Bowers United States Military Aircraft Since 1909 New York Putnam 1964 ISBN 0 85177 816 X Wagner Ray 1982 American combat planes 3d enl ed Garden City N Y Doubleday ISBN 0 385 13120 8 Andrade John M U S Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 Leicester Midland Counties Publications First edition 1979 ISBN 0 904597 22 9 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtiss A 18 Shrike Curtiss A 18 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Curtiss A 18 Shrike amp oldid 1129866534, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
