The Curtiss XP-53 was a proposed fighter aircraft developed by Curtiss-Wright Corporation during World War II. However, it never progressed beyond the design stage and was never built or flown.
The XP-53 was intended to be a high-altitude interceptor capable of engaging enemy bombers at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet. It was designed around a powerful Pratt & Whitney X-1800 liquid-cooled engine that was capable of generating 2,300 horsepower.
The aircraft featured a sleek, streamlined fuselage with a bubble canopy for improved visibility. It was armed with six .50 calibre machine guns mounted in the nose, as well as a pair of 20mm cannons mounted in the wings.
Despite its promising design, the XP-53 never progressed beyond the mock-up stage due to a number of factors, including the cancellation of the Pratt & Whitney X-1800 engine program and the development of other, more advanced fighter aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt.
XP-60
The Curtiss XP-60 was an experimental fighter aircraft developed by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in the early 1940s.
It was designed as a high-altitude interceptor, capable of reaching speeds of up to 400 mph (640 km/h) and altitudes of over 40,000 ft (12,200 m).
The XP-60 was powered by an Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled engine and was armed with four 0.50-caliber machine guns.
The XP-60D was a further development of the XP-60, featuring a redesigned airframe and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine.
It also had a more streamlined canopy and a larger vertical stabilizer.
XP-60D
The XP-60D was capable of reaching speeds of up to 460 mph (740 km/h) and had a service ceiling of 41,600 ft (12,680 m).
Like the XP-60, it was armed with four 0.50-caliber machine guns.
Despite promising performance during testing, both the XP-60 and XP-60D were ultimately cancelled in favour of other aircraft designs.
The XP-60D was eventually re-designated as the XP-72, which also failed to enter production.
Full Specifications
XP-53
Specifications for the aircraft, However are based on the proposed design, here are some estimated specifications: