- Yes
- No
Hello everybody. Today, I’d like to suggest the Curtiss XBTC-2 for US Aviation in War Thunder. The XBTC-2 was a prototype single-seat, single-engine torpedo and dive bomber developed by Curtiss during World War II. This aircraft was designed in response to the U.S. Navy’s request for a new platform that could combine the roles of both a torpedo bomber and a dive bomber into a single versatile airframe.
This is not to be confused with the Curtiss XBT2C-1, which was Curtiss’ second iterative design following the XBTC-2. The XBTC-2 I am suggesting was part of Curtiss’ earlier efforts to meet the Navy’s ambitious specifications. Unfortunately, the program was canceled before it could enter production due to the end of World War II.
Key Characteristics
- Fast torpedo/dive bomber for the US Navy
- Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major radial engine, driving a 6-bladed contra-rotating propeller
- Armed with four 20-mm cannons
- Good ground attack capabilities by torpedo/dive bomber standards
History
On February 9, 1942, the US Navy issued a specification to replace the prewar two-seat, carrier-capable scout bombers like the SBD Dauntless with a new single-seat aircraft. This aircraft was to be powered by the 2,200 hp (1,641 kW) Wright R-3350 radial engine. The Navy’s goal was to combine the roles of dive-bomber and torpedo-bomber into one platform while reducing the crew from two or three members to a single pilot. Wartime experience had shown that pilots could effectively aim bombs and torpedoes without assistance.
The Navy requested this new aircraft to have a 1,000-mile range while carrying a 1,000-pound bomb in an internal bay, along with four 20-mm cannons mounted in the wings. When the bomb bay was not loaded, a torpedo could be carried externally beneath the fuselage. Two external hardpoints were also specified for additional drop bombs. Additional requirements included folding wings, pilot armor, and self-sealing fuel tanks.
Curtiss submitted two preliminary designs to meet the specification: the XBTC-1, equipped with a 2,300 hp R-3350 engine and a three-blade propeller, and the XBTC-2, featuring a more powerful 3,000 hp XR-4360 engine. The XBTC-2 also had a six-blade contra-rotating propeller, a larger wing with duplex flaps, and a single-stage variable-speed supercharger with water injection. On June 26, 1942, the Navy approved both designs, and mockups were ready by December of that year.
The US Army also showed interest in the XBTC-1 design, intending to order it as the XA-40 with the Pratt & Whitney R-3350 engine. However, delays and technical issues with the R-3350 engine hindered the XBTC-1’s development, and the Navy terminated the XBTC-1 contract in December 1943.
Despite these setbacks, the Navy proceeded with the XBTC-2 and awarded Curtiss a contract to build two prototypes. After a slow progress made on the development, the first prototype flew on January 20, 1945, equipped with a pre-production XR-4360-8A engine. It featured four 20-mm cannons, an internal bomb bay capable of carrying a single 1,600-pound bomb, two external mounts for additional bombs up to 1,000 pounds, and torpedo shackles beneath the fuselage.
The second prototype used a production R-4360-14 engine and differed in wing design. While the first prototype had a “Model A” wing with Fowler flaps and upper and lower dive brakes, the second had a “Model B” wing featuring duplex flaps, revised sweep and taper in the outer panels, and additional leading-edge slats. This design also included outboard Fowler flaps behind lengthened ailerons and extra dive brakes.
In March 1945, the first prototype crashed during a landing but was salvaged and later upgraded with the “Model B” wing. Both prototypes were delivered to the Naval Air Test Center at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, on July 30, 1946. However, during stall testing on March 17, 1947, the second prototype crashed beyond repair due to engine failure.
With the end of World War II, the Navy’s interest in the XBTC program waned, as the urgency for such aircraft diminished. The program ended after producing just two prototypes. The surviving aircraft was transferred to the Naval Air Material Unit in August 1947 for disposal.
Specifications
Curtiss XBTC-2General Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 39 ft (11.89 m)
- Height: 12 ft 11 in (3.94 m)
- Span: 50 ft (15.24 m)
- Wing Area: 425 sq ft (39.5 sq m)
- Propeller Type: 6-bladed contra-rotating propeller
- Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-4360-14 Wasp Major radial engine
→ 3,000 hp (2,206 kW)- Internal Fuel: 360 US gal. (1,363 L)
- Oil Tankage: 32 US gal. (121.1 L)
- Empty Weight: 13,947 lb (6,326 kg)
- Gross Weight: 19,067 lb (8,649 kg)
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 20,944 lb (9,500 kg)
Engine Ratings
- Takeoff
→ 3,000 bhp @ 2,700 rpm @ S.L.- Military
→ 3,000 bhp @ 2,700 rpm @ 1,500 ft
→ 2,400 bhp @ 2,700 rpm @ 13,500 ft- Normal
→ 2,500 bhp @ 2,550 rpm @ 5,000 ft
→ 2,200 bhp @ 2,550 rpm @ 14,500 ftPerformance w/ Clean Condition @ Military
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.17 hp/lb (0.27 kW/kg)
- Sea level Speed: 356 mph (573 km/h)
- Critical Altitude Speed: 386 mph @ 16,200 ft (621 km/h @ 4,938 m)
- Wing Loading: 42.14 lb/sq ft (205.7 kg/sq m)
- Rate of Climb: 2,610 fpm (13.3 m/s)
- Time to Altitude:
- 4.3 minutes to 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
- 10.8 minutes to 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
- Service Ceiling: 28,000 ft (8,534 m)
- Combat Range: 1,665 miles (2,670 km)
Armament
- Guns:
- 4 x 20-mm (AN/M2?) cannons (200 rpg; 800 rounds)
- Bombs:
- Internal:
- 1 x 1,600-lb bomb
- 1 x 1,000-lb bomb
- 1 x 500-lb bomb
- External:
- 2 x 1,000-lb bombs on wings
- 2 x 500-lb bombs on wings
- Torpedoes
- 1 x Mk.13-3 torpedo
- Drop Tanks:
- 2 x 100-gal drop tanks
SAC Data
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
I think the Curtiss XBTC-2 is an interesting aircraft designed as a naval torpedo/dive bomber, featuring innovative design elements such as its powerful R-4360 engine and contra-rotating propellers. It stands out as a unique aircraft compared to the AD Skyraiders and AM Maulers. While the XBTC-2 never progressed beyond the prototype stage due to the end of World War II and shifting priorities within the Navy, it embodies the experimental effort to create a high-performance, modern attack aircraft by World War II standards.
- XBTC-2 Airplane Characteristic & Performance (1 August 1944)
- US Experimental & Prototype Aircraft Projects: Fighters 1939-1945 (2008)
- Curtiss XBTC (Model 96) Carrierborne Torpedo / Dive Bomber Prototype
- Curtiss XBTC - Wikipedia
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃