Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly

The Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly was a ground attack aircraft developed by Beechcraft during the Second World War as a replacement for the ageing Douglas A-20 Havoc.

The Grizzly was to have been fitted with a forward firing 75 mm cannon, to penetrate heavily armoured targets.

While the first prototype flew on 7 May 1944, testing established that the type would not be ready for the projected invasion of Japan.

It also featured the Wright R-3350 engines already in use with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, which had priority.

Consequently, the XA-38 was cancelled after a second prototype had been completed.

Specifications

Crew

2

Length

51 ft 9 in (15.77 m)

Wingspan

67 ft 4 in (20.52 m)

Height

15 ft 6 in (4.72 m)

Wing area

626 sq ft (58.2 m²)

Empty weight

22,480 lb (10,197 kg)

Max take-off weight

35,265 lb (15,996 kg)

Powerplant

2 × Wright R-3350-43 air cooled radial engines,

2,300 hp (1,700 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed

370 mph (600 km/h, 320 kn)

Range

1,625 mi (2,615 km, 1,412 nmi)

Service ceiling

29,000 ft (8,800 m)

Rate of climb

2,600 ft/min (13 m/s)

Armament

Guns

1 × T15E1 75 mm cannon (20 rounds)

6 × .50 calibre (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns.