- Yes
- No
Hello everybody. I’d like to introduce and suggest the Curtiss XP-62 as a potential addition to U.S. aviation in War Thunder. The XP-62 was the final fighter design by Curtiss for the US Army Air Forces, created in hopes of securing a wartime production contract during World War II. This unique aircraft, built only as a single prototype, stands as the largest interceptor developed for the Army. Unfortunately, by the time it made its first flight, the Army had deemed the XP-62 unnecessary, leading to the program’s cancellation in 1943.
Key Characteristics
- Army interceptor
- Air-conditioned pressurized cockpit
- A 2,300 hp 18-cylinder Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone engine with a turbo-supercharger
- 4 x 20-mm cannon guns
History
The Curtiss XP-62 was a prototype single-engine interceptor developed by Curtiss for the US Army Air Forces in response to a January 1941 requirement for a powerful, heavily-armed fighter. Designed to carry the largest engine and most substantial armament of the time, the XP-62 was one of the largest single-seat, single-engine fighters ever designed during the war. To enhance high-altitude performance and speed across all altitudes, Curtiss equipped it with an 18-cylinder Wright R-3350-17 Duplex-Cyclone engine, which also powered the Boeing B-29 bomber, driving 6-bladed contra-rotating propellers paired with a turbo-supercharger. Curtiss hoped that this ambitious design would outperform the previous P-60 series, which had failed as a replacement for the P-40 Warhawk.
The design was approved in April 1941, with an initial armament of either eight 20-mm cannons or twelve .50-caliber machine guns mounted in the wings. The Army ordered two prototypes on June 27, 1941, designated the XP-62 and XP-62A, respectively. However, before construction began, the design underwent several revisions, including a reduction in armament to four cannons due to weight concerns. Additionally, Curtiss had to split its resources between this project and producing Republic P-47G Thunderbolts under contract to meet the Army’s wartime demands, leading to the cancellation of an initial order for 100 production P-62 units.
Development of the XP-62 continued at a slow pace, with delays in the delivery of critical components like the pressurized cabin, turbo-supercharger, and engine modifications, pushing the first flight back to July 21, 1943. Although it became one of the largest single-seat fighters to fly in the U.S. during the war, it was never equipped with either pressurization or armament. Limited test flights were conducted until the Army, finding little value in the XP-62 for meeting their high-altitude interceptor requirements, canceled the second prototype and grounded the XP-62, placing it in storage at Wright Field, Ohio. Plans for pressurizing the cockpit were abandoned as it became evident that the aircraft was unlikely to exceed the Army’s needs. The program was formally terminated on September 21, 1943, and the prototype was scrapped in February 1944 before its full performance characteristics could be fully assessed.
The XP-62 marked the last in a long line of wartime fighter designs by Curtiss, whose exhausted design team saw little success with their later aircraft models. Stuck producing P-40 Warhawks until the war’s end, Curtiss eventually exited the aircraft manufacturing business altogether after World War II.
Specifications
Curtiss XP-62General Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 39 ft 6 in (12.04 m)
- Height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
- Span: 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m)
- Wing Area: 420 sq ft (39 sq m)
- Propeller Type: 6-bladed contra-rotating constant-speed propeller
- Propeller Diameter: 13 ft 2.4 in (4.02 m)
- Powerplant: Wright R-3350-17 Duplex Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
→ 2,300 hp (1,700 kW)- Internal Fuel: 245 - 384 US gal. (927 - 1,453 L)
- Empty Weight: 11,775 lb (5,341 kg)
- Gross Weight: 14,600 lb (6,650 kg)
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 16,650 lb (7,552 kg)
Performance (Estimated)
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.16 hp/lb (0.26 kW/kg)
- Cruising Speed: 340 mph (547 km/h)
- Critical Altitude Speed: 448 mph (721 km/h) @ 27,000 ft (8,200 m)
- Stall Speed: 85 mph (137 km/h)
- Wing Loading: 35 lb/sq ft (170 kg/sq m)
- Rate of Climb: 2,300 fpm (11.7 m/s)
- Time to Altitude: 6.6 minutes to 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
- Service Ceiling: 37,500 ft (11,400 m)
- Range: 1,300 - 1,500 miles (2092 - 2,414 km)
Armament
- Guns:
- 4 x 20-mm cannons (150 rpg; 600 rounds)
Images
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
The Curtiss XP-62 represents one of Curtiss’s final relentless efforts to innovate during wartime despite ultimately not entering production. Adding the XP-62 to USA Aviation in War Thunder could offer a powerful interceptor option since it was equipped with four 20-mm cannons instead of the typical M2 Brownings. As the last Army fighter-interceptor designed by Curtiss, the XP-62 would serve as a fitting tribute to Curtiss’ contributions to WWII-era aircraft design, marking its final attempt to move beyond the pre-war P-40 Warhawk. In terms of gameplay, the XP-62’s performance, size, and weight would closely mirror the Dornier Do-335, making it a compelling and unique addition to the game.
Literature
- 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 Company Profile 1907–1947 (2014)
- Curtiss XP-62 Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter Aircraft Prototype
- Curtiss XP-62 - Wikipedia
Aircraft Model Images
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃