The Curtiss XP-71 was a 1941 American proposal by Curtiss-Wright for an exceptionally large heavy fighter, meant to serve as an extreme-range interceptor and escort fighter. It grew out of studies of long-range heavy fighters made before the United States entered the Second World War, when the Army Air Forces thought bombers might have to escort over occupied Europe even if Britain fell, and the service ordered two prototypes in November 1941. The design centred on two turbocharged 3,450 horsepower Pratt and Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major radial engines driving pusher contra-rotating propellers and a pressurised cockpit, and it would have been the largest fighter of the war. Curtiss was already committed to existing production, and once Britain remained available as a forward base the need faded. Development was cancelled in early 1942 and no prototype was ever built.
Facts
Engine Class StatusDesign only (never built) 1 EnginePratt & Whitney R-4360-13 Wasp Major 28-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines (two, as designed) 1 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Curtiss XP-71 (Wikipedia)
Of Make
Source Curtiss XP-71 (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source Curtiss XP-71 (Wikipedia)Lead, makerQuote, Lead, maker
a 1941 American aircraft proposal by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source Curtiss XP-71 (Wikipedia)Lead, originQuote, Lead, origin
The Curtiss XP-71 was a 1941 American aircraft proposal by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation for an exceptionally large heavy fighter design.
Sources
1. Curtiss XP-71 (Wikipedia)
Lead, proposal year
The Curtiss XP-71 was a 1941 American aircraft proposal by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation for an exceptionally large heavy fighter design.
Lead, outcome
While significant progress was made in the design phase, no prototypes were ever built, and the design was abandoned in 1943.
Specifications (XP-71, as designed), powerplant
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-13 Wasp Major 28-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 3,450 hp (2,570 kW) each
Specifications (XP-71, as designed), engine type
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-13 Wasp Major 28-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 3,450 hp (2,570 kW) each
Lead, maker
a 1941 American aircraft proposal by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Lead, origin
The Curtiss XP-71 was a 1941 American aircraft proposal by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation for an exceptionally large heavy fighter design.
In Group: Propeller-Driven Fighters, Lead, role
The Curtiss XP-71 was a 1941 American aircraft proposal by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation for an exceptionally large heavy fighter design.
Exemplifies: Aviation, Lead, aircraft
The Curtiss XP-71 was a 1941 American aircraft proposal by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation for an exceptionally large heavy fighter design.
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