- Yes
- No
TL;DR:
Naval Fighter, fat fighter with contra-rotating props and four 20mms.
Overview:
One of Curtiss-Wright’s final propeller aircraft, the XF14C came from a US Navy order in June 1941 for the development of a high-altitude naval fighter making use of the high performance Lycoming H-2470-4 inline “hyper” engine then under development, a departure for the Navy as it previously insisted on radial engines. Two prototypes were ordered, featuring contra-rotating propellers like many Curtiss projects of the time. However, the XH-2470-4 suffered excessive delays and a protracted development, leading to the Navy to order another variant powered by the radial Wright XR-3350-16, which had recently finished development. This variant was called the XF14C-2. The prototype under construction was converted to use the Wright engine as the Lycoming engine still wasn’t ready, and later on the Lycoming-powered variant would be cancelled after the Navy lost interest in the engine.
The prototype was completed only in September 1943, and tested in July 1944. It was painted all-white, a very distinctive look compared to other naval aircraft. The massive engine gave it a “jug” shape, with the turbocharger exhaust sticking out of the fuselage like a sore thumb. Flight tests were disappointing, and showed it did not offer any advantages to the existing F6F and F4U fighters (interestingly, the F6F had its order given on the same day as the XF14C, but was delivered 2 years earlier), and the engine and propellers created vibration issues for the aircraft. Additionally, by that point the requirement for a high-altitude naval fighter was no longer needed, and also with no production to spare for the engine (the B-29 had priority), the XF14C was cancelled with the prototype scrapped some time later. Curtiss continued development however, proposing a variant with a pressurized cockpit, but that too was cancelled in 1945.
Specifications:
Weight:
Empty: 4777kg
Take-off: 6781kgDimensions:
Length: 11.5m
Wing Span: 14.02m
Wing Area: 34.83m²
Height: 5.18mEngine:
1x Wright XR-3350-16 Duplex-Cyclone Radial 18-cylinder Twin-row Piston Engine
2300hp
Max Fuel: 871L + 2x 284L External Fuel Tanks
Air-cooledPerformance:
Max Speed:
673km/h at 9754m
Ceiling: 12 131m
Range: 2462km
Rate of Climb: 822.6m/minCrew: 1
Armament:
4x1 20mm AN/M3 (or M2)Ordnance:
Original mockup had hardpoints for 2 100lb bombs, which appears to still feature in the prototypeArmour:
7.9 - 9.5mm Back/headrest plate
Images:
Sources:
Bowers, P. M. (1979). Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947 (pp. 439-440). Putnam.
Images:
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