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Hello everybody. Today, I’d like to introduce and suggest the Curtiss YP-37 for US Aviation in War Thunder. Developed as part of an effort to modernize the US Army Air Corps’ fighter fleet in the late 1930s, the YP-37 originated from modifications to the Curtiss P-36. The project aimed to replace the P-36’s radial engine with the new liquid-cooled, turbo-supercharged Allison V-1710, resulting in the XP-37 and later the YP-37. However, the P-37 program was ultimately canceled in favor of the P-40 Warhawk. The YP-37 bore similarities to the Soviet MiG-3 in terms of design, armament, and engine configuration.
- Based on the P-36 airframe, featuring a lengthened fuselage and a relocated cockpit.
- Equipped with a liquid-cooled Allison V-1710-21 inline engine, producing 1,150 horsepower, instead of a radial engine.
- Armed with one .30-caliber and one .50-caliber machine gun, in line with standard USAAC specifications.
- Notoriously poor cockpit visibility, particularly during takeoff and landing.
History
The Curtiss YP-37 was an experimental fighter derived from the successful P-36 Hawk. In response to the US Army Air Corps’ interest in improving the P-36’s performance, a proposal was made to replace its radial engine with the new liquid-cooled Allison V-1710. On February 17, 1937, the Army ordered a single P-36 airframe to be modified for this purpose, designating it the XP-37 (Serial No. 37-375). This shift aimed to improve high-altitude performance by leveraging a turbo-supercharged inline engine to overcome the limitations of radial engines.
The XP-37 underwent significant structural modifications to accommodate the 1,150 hp Allison V-1710-11 engine. The cockpit was repositioned further aft to make space for three cooling radiators surrounding the engine cowling. The aircraft made its maiden flight in April 1937 and was officially delivered to the Army in June. However, early test flights revealed severe engine and turbo-supercharger reliability issues. Pilots also criticized the aircraft’s poor visibility, particularly during takeoff and landing. By August 1941, after accumulating only 152 flight hours, the XP-37 was retired and used as a mechanics’ training aid. Its ultimate fate remains unknown.
Despite these shortcomings, the Army showed enough interest to commission 13 service test aircraft, designated YP-37, on December 11, 1937.
The YP-37 differed from the XP-37 primarily in its powerplant, featuring an improved 1,150 hp Allison V-1710-21 engine with a General Electric B-2 turbo-supercharger. The fuselage was lengthened by 25 inches (635 mm) aft of the wing. Its armament remained the same: one .30-caliber (7.62 mm) and one .50-caliber (12.7 mm) machine gun, both mounted in the nose. With these upgrades, the YP-37 achieved a top speed of 340 mph (547 km/h) at 10,000 feet (3,048 meters).
A total of 13 YP-37s were produced, assigned serial numbers 38-472 to 38-484. Testing began in 1939, with the first aircraft delivered in March and making its maiden flight in June. However, trials revealed that the YP-37 suffered from the same engine and tubro-supercharger issues as its predecessor. The visibility problem also remained unresolved, and the aircraft’s handling characteristics were deemed unsatisfactory by Army pilots.
Although discussions arose about further development, Curtiss had already shifted its focus to the more practical and simpler P-40 Warhawk by 1939. As a result, the YP-37 project was officially canceled, and the remaining aircraft never entered operational service. Most were retired or reassigned to mechanics’ training schools by early 1942.
Only one YP-37 (Serial No. 38-474) was transferred to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) for research in August 1942. It reportedly remained in use until either January 1943 or 1946 (sources conflict on the exact date). By that time, it is presumed that all YP-37s had been scrapped.
Specifications
Curtiss YP-37General Characteristics
- Crew: 1 (Pilot)
- Length: 32 ft 11.5 in (10.04 m)
- Height: 11 ft 1 in (3.37 m)
- Span: 37 ft 3.5 in (11.35 m)
- Wing Area: 236 sq ft (21.92 sq m)
- Propeller Type: 3-bladed Curtiss electric constant-speed propeller
- Powerplant: Allison V-1710-21 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
→ Military: 1,150 hp @ 2,950 rpm
→ Normal: 1,000 hp @ 2,600 rpm- Internal Fuel: 108 US gal (409 L)
- Empty Weight: 5,592 lb (2,536 kg)
- Gross Weight: 6,700 lb (3,039 kg)
Performance
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.17 hp/lb (0.28 kW/kg)
- Cruise speed: 305 mph (491 km/h)
- Critical Altitude Speed:
- 340 mph (547 km/h) @ 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
- 331 mph (533 km/h) @ 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
- Landing Speed: 85 mph (137 km/h)
- Wing Loading: 28.39 lb/sq ft (138.6 sq m)
- Rate of Climb: 2,920 fpm (14.8 m/s)
- Time to Altitude: 8 minutes and 30 seconds to 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
- Service Ceiling: 34,000 ft (10,000 m)
- Combat Range: 570 mi (920 km)
- Max. Range: 870 (1,400 km)
Armament
- Guns:
- 1 x 0.50-cal. M2 Browning machine gun (200 rounds)
- 1 x 0.30-cal. M1919 Browning machine gun (500 rounds)
Supplemental Data
- Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947 (1987)
- 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)
- American X & Y Planes, Vol. 1 Experimental Aircraft to 1945 (2009)
- War Department Air Corps, Materiel Divison, Memorandum Report on Curtiss YP-37 Airplane, A.C. No. 38-472 (11 March 1940) [http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/YP-37_38-472_11March40.pdf]
- Curtiss YP-37 - Wikipedia
- Curtiss XP-37
- Curtiss P-37 - fighter