I would like to suggest the Northrop 3A (XP-948) as a possible American aircraft for War Thunder, either as a Premium aircraft or an Event vehicle .
The Northrop 3A is a particularly interesting candidate because it represents one of the lesser-known American fighter designs of the mid-1930s, developed during the competition to find a successor to the Boeing P-26.
Unlike many aircraft already represented in the game, the 3A never reached production. It was a single prototype, and its loss during testing prevented Northrop from participating properly in the competition.
That makes it a perfect candidate for a special vehicle.
Historical background
In 1935, the U.S. Army Air Corps began a competition for a new single-seat fighter intended to replace the Boeing P-26.
Several manufacturers submitted designs, including:
- Curtiss Model 75 , which became the P-36;
- Seversky SEV-2XP/SEV-1XP , which eventually led to the P-35;
- Northrop Model 3A , designated XP-948 by the Army.
The Northrop 3A was developed from the earlier Northrop XFT fighter prototype. The major difference was the introduction of a retractable landing gear , giving the aircraft a considerably cleaner aerodynamic configuration.
The aircraft was completed in 1935 and entered preliminary testing.
Unfortunately, testing revealed significant problems with its spinning characteristics and directional stability. The prototype was returned to Northrop for modifications before the planned competition trials.
On 30 July 1935 , the aircraft took off from Mines Field, California, for another test flight over the Pacific.
The aircraft disappeared and was never recovered. The pilot, 1st Lieutenant Arthur Henry Skaer Jr., was also lost.
Northrop subsequently abandoned the project and sold the design to Chance Vought, which developed it into the Vought V-141/V-143 .
Technical characteristics
Aircraft: Northrop Model 3A / XP-948
Country: United States 🇺🇸
Year: 1935
Crew: 1
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior
Power: approximately 700 hp
Propeller: 3-bladed
Configuration: single-engine, low-wing monoplane
Construction: all-metal semi-monocoque
Landing gear: retractable
Maximum speed: approximately 270 mph / 434 km/h
Operational weight: approximately 3,900 lb / 1,769 kg
Wingspan: approximately 10.5 m
Length: approximately 6.8–7.0 m
The prototype itself was reportedly unarmed, but the design provided for the installation of two fuselage-mounted machine guns , with configurations reported as either two .50-caliber weapons or a .30-caliber and a .50-caliber machine gun.
For War Thunder purposes, I would suggest the historically more interesting 2 × 12.7 mm Browning configuration , if sufficient evidence supports that configuration.
Why would the Northrop 3A be interesting in War Thunder?
The main reason is simple:
It is different.
The American early fighter lineup already contains several aircraft based around the P-26, P-35 and P-36 families.
The Northrop 3A would provide another branch of that same technological transition:
Boeing P-26 → Northrop 3A → Curtiss P-36
It would be an aircraft from the period when the U.S. was transitioning from open-cockpit, fixed-gear fighters to modern enclosed-cockpit monoplanes with retractable landing gear.
It would also be an excellent opportunity to represent one of the aircraft that actually competed for the same requirement that produced the P-36.
Possible War Thunder gameplay
The Northrop 3A should not be treated as an overpowered aircraft.
Its approximately 700 hp engine and relatively heavy airframe would give it respectable performance for an early fighter, but its historical stability problems could make it a very unusual aircraft to fly.
This could actually make the 3A more interesting.
It could potentially have:
- good top speed for its era;
- enclosed cockpit;
- retractable landing gear;
- reasonable energy retention;
- relatively good high-speed performance;
- mediocre climb compared with later fighters;
- limited armament;
- unusual handling characteristics.
The aircraft’s documented tendency toward spins should also be considered when modelling its flight characteristics. Contemporary testing found the aircraft unstable and prone to spinning.
This would make the Northrop 3A a skill-based aircraft rather than simply another powerful premium .
Suggested Battle Rating
I would suggest approximately:
BR 1.7–2.0
The exact BR should of course depend on the final flight model and armament implemented by Gaijin.
If equipped with two .50 cal machine guns, a BR around 2.0 could be appropriate.
Premium or Event vehicle?
I believe the Northrop 3A would be particularly suitable as a:
⭐ Premium aircraft
or
🎁 Event vehicle
The fact that only one prototype was built makes it considerably more special than another mass-produced American fighter.
It also has an interesting historical story and a recognizable Northrop design lineage.
Another interesting possibility would be to introduce it as part of a small event focused on American experimental fighters of the 1930s , alongside other unusual prototypes.
Why not simply add the Vought V-141?
The V-141 is actually the direct development of the Northrop 3A design.
However, the Northrop 3A would be more interesting from a historical perspective because it represents the original Northrop attempt to compete for the USAAC fighter contract.
The Vought aircraft came later, after Northrop had already abandoned the project.
The Northrop 3A therefore represents a unique moment in the development of American fighter aviation.
Conclusion
The Northrop 3A may not have been a successful fighter, but that is exactly what makes it interesting.
War Thunder already contains many successful production aircraft. Adding an obscure prototype like the 3A would give players the opportunity to experience an aircraft that existed at a fascinating point in aviation history.
It was:
- an early American monoplane fighter;
- developed by Northrop;
- designed by an engineering team associated with Jack Northrop and Ed Heinemann;
- intended to replace the P-26;
- a competitor to the designs that became the P-35 and P-36;
- equipped with retractable landing gear;
- powered by a 700 hp Pratt & Whitney radial;
- and ultimately evolved into the Vought V-141/V-143.
For these reasons, I believe the Northrop 3A would make an excellent Premium or Event aircraft for the U.S. aviation tree.
Please consider adding this forgotten Northrop prototype to War Thunder! 🇺🇸