Republic XP-72

The Republic XP-72 was an American prototype fighter-interceptor that Republic Aircraft developed as a progression of the P-47 Thunderbolt design. It was designed around the Pratt and Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major, a 28-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, with a supercharger mounted behind the pilot and driven by an extension shaft from the engine. The planned armament was six .50 caliber Browning machine guns in the wings and underwing racks for two 1,000 pound bombs, with alternative packages that used 37 mm autocannons. The XP-69 was canceled on 11 May 1943 because the XP-72 showed more promise, and an order for two XP-72 prototypes was placed on 18 June 1943. The first flew on 2 February 1944 with a four-bladed propeller, and the program was later canceled without production.