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.
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 cannons and removing the propellerde-icing equipment.
On 25 May 1942 a contract for 100 P-62 fighters was awarded. However, on 27 July 1942, before production could begin, the contract for the P-62 was terminated (although not, apparently, the XP-62A). The reason given was the effect on deliveries of Curtiss-built P-47 Thunderbolts.
While work on the XP-62A continued, it progressed slowly, owing to its low priority; delays in delivery of the unique pressure-cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight until 21 July 1943. Only a limited amount of flight testing was carried out before the XP-62A was canceled on 21 September 1943 and full performance characteristics were not obtained. In early 1944, the XP-62A prototype was scrapped.
^Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. pp. 327–331. ISBN0370100298.
^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.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtiss XP-62.
– National Museum of the USAF
January 04, 2023
curtiss, prototype, single, engine, interceptor, aircraft, that, built, request, united, states, army, forces, curtiss, wright, corporation, first, flew, 1943, curtiss, tarmacrole, fighter, aircraftmanufacturer, curtiss, wrightfirst, flight, july, 1943status, . 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 62A Curtiss XP 62 on the tarmacRole Fighter aircraftManufacturer Curtiss WrightFirst flight 21 July 1943Status Cancelled 21 September 1943Primary user United States Army Air ForcesProduced 1943Number built 1Relatively 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 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Specifications XP 62 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksDesign and development EditThe 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 cannons and removing the propeller de icing equipment On 25 May 1942 a contract for 100 P 62 fighters was awarded However on 27 July 1942 before production could begin the contract for the P 62 was terminated although not apparently the XP 62A The reason given was the effect on deliveries of Curtiss built P 47 Thunderbolts While work on the XP 62A continued it progressed slowly owing to its low priority delays in delivery of the unique pressure cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight until 21 July 1943 Only a limited amount of flight testing was carried out before the XP 62A was canceled on 21 September 1943 and full performance characteristics were not obtained In early 1944 the XP 62A prototype was scrapped Specifications XP 62 EditData from Curtiss Aircraft 1907 1947 1 General characteristicsCrew 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 propellerPerformance 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 15 000 ft 4 600 m in 6 9 minutes 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 cannonSee also Edit Aviation portalRelated lists List of fighter aircraft List of military aircraft of the United StatesReferences Edit Bowers Peter M 1979 Curtiss aircraft 1907 1947 London Putnam pp 327 331 ISBN 0370100298 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 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtiss XP 62 Curtis XP 62 National Museum of the USAF Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Curtiss XP 62 amp oldid 1123912006, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
