Curtiss XP-60A

The Curtiss XP-60A was an experimental fighter aircraft developed by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation in the early 1940s.

It was designed to meet a requirement from the US Army Air Corps for a high-altitude interceptor that could intercept and destroy enemy bombers.

Full Specifications

Crew

1

Length

33 ft 4 in (10.16 m)

Wingspan

41 ft 4 in (12.60 m)

Height

12 ft 6 in (3.81 m)

Empty weight

6,900 lb (3,130 kg)

Max take-off weight

9,550 lb (4,340 kg)

Powerplant

1 × Allison V-1710-81 liquid-cooled V12 engine, 1,325 hp (988 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed

410 mph (660 km/h, 360 kn) at 27,500 ft (8,400 m)

Range

590 mi (950 km, 510 nmi)

Service ceiling

39,500 ft (12,000 m)

Rate of climb

4,550 ft/min (23.1 m/s)

Unfortunately, the XP-60A had a number of technical problems that prevented it from being developed into a production aircraft.

These included engine overheating and issues with the complex turbo-supercharger system that was needed for high-altitude performance.

In the end, only one XP-60A prototype was built, and the project was cancelled in 1942.