The Curtiss XP-71 was a 1941 American proposal for an exceptionally large[1]heavy fighter design. It was intended to serve as an extreme-range interceptor and escort fighter. While significant progress was made in the design phase, no prototypes were ever built, and the design was abandoned in 1943.
Based on studies of heavy, long-range fighters that had been undertaken prior to the American involvement in World War II, the United States Army Air Forces initially ordered two prototypes in November 1941.[3] The major role for the proposed aircraft was to act as an "escort" fighter to protect heavy bombers that would have to operate over occupied Europe even if Britain was conquered.[3]
Developed around two turbocharged 3,450 hp (2,570 kW) R-4360s driving pusher propellers, the XP-71 would have been the largest fighter aircraft built in the war.
The final XP-71 design would have been larger than the contemporary B-25 and was considered a complex industrial project that would have taxed the resources of the Curtiss company as it was evident that development time would stretch out well beyond the projected need for the type. [1]
At the time, Curtiss facilities were completely committed to producing existing aircraft;[citation needed] due to the need to keep their production lines open for the current types on order and with shifting combat requirements, the USAAF reconsidered the need for the project before prototype construction had begun.[citation needed] As conditions changed and it was clear that Britain would continue to be available for forward bases, the requirement for the advanced fighter project led to the cancellation of the XP-71 in early 1942.[3]
Specifications (XP-71, as designed)edit
XP-71 illustration by Curtiss-Wright engineer G. L. Flanders
^ abMerriam, Ray (3 June 2017). "5". World War 2 in Review: American AirPower No. 3 (1 ed.). Hoosick Falls, New York: Lulu Press, Inc. p. 52. ISBN9781387014705. from the original on 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2021-03-17. "The final XP-71 design would have been larger than the contemporary B-25..."
Dorr, Robert F. and Donald, David. Fighters of the United States Air Force. London: Temple, 1990. ISBN0-600-55094-X.
Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Fighters: Army-Air Force 1925 to 1980s. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1975. ISBN0-8168-9200-8.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtiss XP-71.
April 15, 2024
curtiss, 1941, american, proposal, exceptionally, large, heavy, fighter, design, intended, serve, extreme, range, interceptor, escort, fighter, while, significant, progress, made, design, phase, prototypes, were, ever, built, design, abandoned, 1943, 71model, . The Curtiss XP 71 was a 1941 American proposal for an exceptionally large 1 heavy fighter design It was intended to serve as an extreme range interceptor and escort fighter While significant progress was made in the design phase no prototypes were ever built and the design was abandoned in 1943 XP 71Model of the XP 71Role Heavy fighter Escort fighter Bomber destroyer interceptorManufacturer Curtiss WrightStatus Cancelled in 1943Primary user United States Army Air ForcesNumber built 0 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Specifications XP 71 as designed 3 See also 4 References 4 1 Notes 4 2 Bibliography 5 External linksDesign and development editThe proposed aircraft was to have a pressurized cockpit Power would be provided by two Pratt amp Whitney R 4360 Wasp Major radial engines each driving a set of pusher contra rotating propellers 2 Based on studies of heavy long range fighters that had been undertaken prior to the American involvement in World War II the United States Army Air Forces initially ordered two prototypes in November 1941 3 The major role for the proposed aircraft was to act as an escort fighter to protect heavy bombers that would have to operate over occupied Europe even if Britain was conquered 3 Developed around two turbocharged 3 450 hp 2 570 kW R 4360s driving pusher propellers the XP 71 would have been the largest fighter aircraft built in the war The final XP 71 design would have been larger than the contemporary B 25 and was considered a complex industrial project that would have taxed the resources of the Curtiss company as it was evident that development time would stretch out well beyond the projected need for the type 1 At the time Curtiss facilities were completely committed to producing existing aircraft citation needed due to the need to keep their production lines open for the current types on order and with shifting combat requirements the USAAF reconsidered the need for the project before prototype construction had begun citation needed As conditions changed and it was clear that Britain would continue to be available for forward bases the requirement for the advanced fighter project led to the cancellation of the XP 71 in early 1942 3 Specifications XP 71 as designed edit nbsp XP 71 illustration by Curtiss Wright engineer G L FlandersData from citation needed General characteristicsCrew 2 Length 61 ft 10 in 18 85 m Wingspan 82 ft 3 in 25 07 m Height 19 ft 0 in 5 79 m Wing area 602 sq ft 55 9 m2 Empty weight 31 060 lb 14 089 kg Max takeoff weight 46 950 lb 21 296 kg Powerplant 2 Pratt amp Whitney R 4360 13 Wasp Major 28 cylinder air cooled radial piston engines 3 450 hp 2 570 kW eachPerformance Maximum speed 428 mph 689 km h 372 kn at 25 000 ft 7 600 m Range 3 000 mi 4 800 km 2 600 nmi Service ceiling 40 000 ft 12 000 m Time to altitude 25 000 ft 7 600 m in 12 minutes 30 seconds Wing loading 51 6 lb sq ft 252 kg m2 Power mass 0 147 hp lb 0 242 kW kg Armament Guns 1 75 mm 2 95 in cannon 2 37 mm 1 46 in cannonSee also editAircraft of comparable role configuration and era YFM 1 Airacuda XP 58 Chain LightningRelated lists List of fighter aircraft List of military aircraft of the United StatesReferences editNotes edit a b Merriam Ray 3 June 2017 5 World War 2 in Review American AirPower No 3 1 ed Hoosick Falls New York Lulu Press Inc p 52 ISBN 9781387014705 Archived from the original on 2021 03 17 Retrieved 2021 03 17 The final XP 71 design would have been larger than the contemporary B 25 Curtiss XP 71 Fact sheet Retrieved 11 July 2017 a b c Dorr and Donald 1990 p 124 Bibliography edit Dorr Robert F and Donald David Fighters of the United States Air Force London Temple 1990 ISBN 0 600 55094 X Jones Lloyd S U S Fighters Army Air Force 1925 to 1980s Fallbrook California Aero Publishers Inc 1975 ISBN 0 8168 9200 8 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtiss XP 71 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Curtiss XP 71 amp oldid 1204840805, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
