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Hello everybody. I’d like to introduce and suggest the Curtiss XP-46 as a potential addition to U.S. aviation in War Thunder. The XP-46 was Curtiss’s prototype fighter, developed in the early 1940s to integrate advanced features observed in European fighters from 1939, just before World War II began. Designed as a potential successor to the P-40 Warhawk, the XP-46 marked Curtiss’s first attempt at moving beyond its prewar designs. Although the aircraft showed promise, the program was ultimately canceled in 1941 due to limited flight performance that offered little or no advantage over the P-40.
Key Characteristics
- Army fighter, smaller than the P-40 Warhawk
- Inward-retracting landing gear
- A 1,150-hp Allison V-1710-39 V-12 engine
- Two 0.50-cal. synchronized machine guns in the nose with eight 0.30-cal. guns in the wings
History
The Curtiss XP-46 was one of the first 1940s Curtiss prototype fighters designed as a potential replacement for the P-40 Warhawk, drawing on insights from British and French fighter design experience prior to World War II. This project was developed in response to a US Army Air Corps specification from January 1939, which sought a new single-engine, low-wing fighter with wide-track, inward-retracting landing gear. Curtiss proposed a design, designated XP-46, that was smaller than the P-40 and equipped with an Allison V-1710-39 V-12 liquid-cooled engine rated at 1,150 hp. However, this engine lacked a supercharger, limiting high-altitude performance. Planned armament included two 0.50-caliber synchronized machine guns in the nose and provisions for up to eight 0.30-caliber machine guns in the wings.
The Army awarded Curtiss a contract for two prototypes on September 29, 1939. Shortly after, the Army requested the addition of self-sealing fuel tanks and 65 pounds of armor, significantly increasing the aircraft’s weight and impacting its performance. The second prototype, designated XP-46A, moved ahead in flight testing without armament, radio, self-sealing fuel tanks, or armor. This stripped-down version first flew on February 2, 1941, achieving a top speed of 410 mph at 15,000 feet in its lightweight configuration.
When the first fully equipped prototype was completed and delivered to the Army on September 22, 1941, its performance proved underwhelming. Fully loaded, it only reached a speed of 355 mph at 12,000 feet, failing to deliver significant improvements over the P-40. The limited gains in firepower and a smaller airframe profile were overshadowed by the disappointing speed and handling performance in comparison to the P-40.
As a result, the XP-46 program was canceled, and the Army financially penalized Curtiss for not meeting its performance promises. Curtiss redirected its efforts to improve the P-40, leading to the development of the P-40D, which used the same engine but delivered significantly better performance than the XP-46. The Army Air Forces ultimately chose to continue P-40 production, abandoning the XP-46.
Following this setback, Curtiss sought other design paths for a high-performance fighter to replace the P-40 Warhawk, eventually leading to the P-60 and P-62 designs. Unfortunately, these projects also failed, marking the beginning of Curtiss’s decline as a prominent aircraft manufacturer in the postwar era.
Specifications
Curtiss XP-46General Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 30 ft 2 in (9.19 m)
- Height: 13 ft (3.96 m)
- Span: 34 ft 5 in (10.49 m)
- Wing Area: 208 sq ft (19.32 sq m)
- Propeller Type: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller
- Powerplant: Allison V-1710-39 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
→ 1,150 hp (858 kW)- Internal Fuel: 103 - 156 US gal. (390 - 590 L)
- Empty Weight: 5,625 lb (2,551 kg)
- Gross Weight: 7,322 lb (3,321 kg)
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 7,665 lb (3,477 kg)
Performance
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg)
- Cruising Speed: 322 mph (518 km/h)
- Critical Altitude Speed: 355 mph (571 km/h) @ 12,200 ft (3,700 m)
- Wing Loading: 35.2 lb/sq ft (171.9 kg/sq m)
- Rate of Climb: 2,460 fpm (12.5 m/s)
- Time to Altitude: 5 minutes to 12,300 ft (3,700 m)
- Service Ceiling: 29,500 ft (8,992 m)
- Range: 325 - 717 miles (523 km)
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x 0.50-cal. M2 Browning machine guns in the nose
- 8 x 0.30-cal. M1919 Browning machine guns in the wings
Diagrams
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
Although its performance wasn’t an improvement over the P-40D, I believe the XP-46 would be a fascinating addition to US aviation in War Thunder as a unique, low-tier aircraft. The XP-46 was more than just an attempt to replace the Warhawk since it embodied Curtiss’s vision of one of the first modern fighters for the US Army Air Forces in the early 1940s, drawing lessons learned from advanced European fighter designs. Its impressive firepower, with up to 10 machine guns, would make it an intriguing aircraft to fly. Personally, I’d love to see this compact and elegant aircraft added to the game, as it’s one of the best-looking fighters of its era, in my opinion.
- Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947 (1979)
- The American Fighter The Definitive Guide to American Fighter Aircraft from 1917 to the Present (1987)
- US Experimental & Prototype Aircraft Projects - Fighters 1939-1945 (2008)
- Curtiss XP-46
- Curtiss XP-46 Fighter Aircraft Prototype
- Curtiss XP-46 - Wikipedia
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃