The Curtiss XP-42 was an experimental fighter built by Curtiss in the late 1930s to research engine cooling and to improve the performance of the P-36 Hawk. The fourth production P-36 served as the development airframe for what the Army Air Corps designated the XP-42. It used a Pratt and Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial under a longer, streamlined cowling with a large propeller spinner, intended to cut aerodynamic drag. When it first flew in March 1939 it was faster than the P-36, but the P-40 was faster still, and the new cowling caused engine cooling problems that at least twelve sets of modifications could not cure; the cowling ended up shorter and close to the original P-36 shape. The project was cancelled, the prototype was kept as a test bed with an all-moving tail, and it was scrapped on 15 July 1947.
Facts
Engine Class Top Speed (km/h) Maximum Mass (kg) EnginePratt & Whitney R-1830-31 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine 1 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Curtiss XP-42 (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Curtiss XP-42 (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source Curtiss XP-42 (Wikipedia)Lead, makerQuote, Lead, maker
built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source Curtiss XP-42 (Wikipedia)Lead, originQuote, Lead, origin
The Curtiss XP-42 was an experimental fighter built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s to research engine cooling and improving the performance of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk.
Sources
1. Curtiss XP-42 (Wikipedia)
Lead, origin
The Curtiss XP-42 was an experimental fighter built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s to research engine cooling and improving the performance of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk.
Design and development, first flight
When the XP-42 first flew in March 1939, it proved to be faster than the P-36.
Design and development, cancellation
The XP-42 project was canceled.
Specifications (XP-42), powerplant
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-31 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,050 hp (780 kW)
Specifications (XP-42), engine type
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-31 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,050 hp (780 kW)
Specifications (XP-42), power
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-31 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,050 hp (780 kW)
Specifications (XP-42), empty weight
Empty weight: 4,818 lb (2,185 kg)
Specifications (XP-42), maximum takeoff weight
Max takeoff weight: 6,260 lb (2,839 kg)
Specifications (XP-42), maximum speed
Maximum speed: 315 mph (507 km/h, 274 kn) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
Lead, maker
built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s
In Group: Propeller-Driven Fighters, Lead, role
The Curtiss XP-42 was an experimental fighter built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s to research engine cooling and improving the performance of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk.
Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, aircraft
The Curtiss XP-42 was an experimental fighter built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s to research engine cooling and improving the performance of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk.
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