- Yes
- No
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the North American XA2J-1 Super Savage for US aviation in War Thunder. The XA2J was a prototype carrier-based attack aircraft developed in the early 1950s by North American Aviation. Derived from AJ Savage, the XA2J-1 was an attempt at being a larger and improved version while harnessing the turboprop power using the infamous experimental T40 turboprop engines. Ultimately, the program was canceled after a few flight tests as the jet-powered aircraft designs offered much more promising performance.
Key Characteristics
- Naval bomber/fast attack aircraft
- Extensively revised fuselage of the AJ Savage
- Two Allison T40-A-6 turboprop engines
- 10,500-pound bomb load
- A planned armament of two 20-mm cannons in the tail with 1,000 rounds each
History
The North American XA2J-1 Super Savage was a prototype carrier-based attack aircraft in which the initial proposal’s goal was to achieve better performance from a conventional airframe using turboprop engines. The XA2J-1 was a planned replacement for the North American AJ Savage in service, and it had the same general configuration as the AJ Savage.
The North American’s design of company model NA-163 originated in October 1948. It was only a few months after the XAJ-1 prototype had first flown when the North American commenced work on the development of the turboprop-powered replacement under the designation XA2J-1.
It was to be powered by a pair of the infamous experimental T40, the same found in the Douglas A2D-1. These engines were rated at 5,035 shp each and drove a pair of three-bladed contra-rotating propellers. The auxiliary jet engine found in the AJ Savage was not used in the XA2J-1.
The shoulder-mounted wing of the AJ was unchanged except for the new engine nacelles. The fuselage was lengthened six feet to compensate for the new large engine nacelles, and the rear fuselage was extensively redesigned with a very large swept-back vertical stabilizer. The aircraft was planned to be installed with a pair of radar-guided tail 20-mm cannons installed in the tail. Overall, the XA2J-1 was larger and heavier than the AJ aircraft.
The US Navy ordered two prototype XA2J-1s with serials of 124439 and 124440, and the construction of these aircraft began on October 1, 1948. However, due to the development problems with the T40 engines, the first flight would not occur until January 4, 1952. During the flight testing with the XA2J-1 (124439), it did not achieve the expected flight performance that would exceed the AJ aircraft. The XA2J-1 was found to be too heavy for the available power, and it was able to attain only over 400 mph. Furthermore, the T40 engines and gearbox started showing reliability issues in other designs that had raised several concerns with the XA2J-1’s viability.
After a few test flights and engine-related mishaps, the XA2J project was canceled before the second prototype had flown. The Douglas A3D Skywarrior and other jet-powered aircraft had far better performance, and the Navy shifted its focus from any prop aircraft to the next generation of jet aircraft.
Specifications
North American XA2J-1 Super SavageGeneral Characteristics
- Crew: 3
- Length: 70 ft 3 in (21.4 m)
- Height: 16 ft (4.9 m)
- Span: 71 ft 6 in (21.8 m)
- Wing Area: 836 sq ft (77.7 sq m)
- Propeller Type: 2 x 6-bladed Aeroproducts contra-rotating, constant-speed propellers
- Propeller Diameter: 16 ft (4.88 m)
- Powerplant: 2 × Allison T40-A-6 turboprop engines
→ 10,070 shp (7,406 kW)- Empty Weight: 35,354 lb (16,036 kg)
- Gross Weight: 46,890 lb (21,269 kg)
- Max. Takeoff Weight: 61,170 lb (27,746 kg)
- Max. Bomb Capacity: 10,050 lb
Performance (Estimates)
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: 0.21 hp/lb (0.35 kW/kg)
- Cruise Speed: 400 mph (644 km/h)
- Critical Altitude Speed: 451 mph @ 24,000 ft (726 km/h @ 7,315 m)
- Wing Loading: 56.1 lb/sq ft (273.7 kg/sq m)
- Rate of Climb: 6,820 fpm (34.7 m/s)
- Service Ceiling: 37,500 ft (11,430 m)
- Combat Range: 2,180 miles (3,508 km) w/ 8,000-lb bomb load
Armament
- Turrets:
- 2 x 20-mm cannons in radar-equipped tail turret (1,000 rpg; 2,000 rounds)
- Bombs:
- Up to 10,500-lb bomb load
Conclusion | Why it should be in the game
While the AJ Savage was powered by a mixed-propulsion of both piston engines and a jet engine, the XA2J might offer a stronger alternative. It was powered by two turboprop engines and could defend itself with its remotely-controlled tail turret. In a tradeoff, it sacrifices a few thousand pounds of the bomb load in its bomb bay. Anyone who has played and flown A2D-1 Skyshark would be familiar with the XA2J’s powerplant since both used the same T40. Gameplay-wise, it would behave as an American Arado and have top-tier acceleration, allowing it to be quick on sea level. I think it’s more suitable for the XA2J-1 to be placed before either F3D in the naval aircraft line or B-57 in the bomber line.
See Also
- Naval Fighters Number Twenty Two: North American AJ-1 Savage (1992)
- American Attack Aircraft Since 1926 (2008)
- North American XA2J-1 Super Savage
- North American XA2J Super Savage Medium Bomber | Old Machine Press
- North American XA2J Super Savage - Wikipedia
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃