The Curtiss XP-62 was a prototype fighter aircraft developed by Curtiss-Wright Corporation during World War II.
Here are some key details about the XP-62
The XP-62 was designed in response to a US Army Air Forces request for a high-altitude interceptor aircraft with a pressurized cockpit.
It was based on the earlier XP-55 Ascender design and featured a similar “pusher” configuration with the engine located behind the pilot.
Specifications
The XP-62 had a wingspan of 44 feet 0 inches and a length of 35 feet 7 inches.
It was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W radial engine rated at 2,400 horsepower and drove a four-bladed propeller.
The aircraft had a top speed of 440 mph and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet.
Armament
The XP-62 was initially planned to be armed with six .50 calibre machine guns, but this was later changed to four 20mm cannon in the wings.
The aircraft also had provisions for two 1,000 lb bombs or four 500 lb bombs.
Testing
The XP-62 first flew on December 29, 1943, and underwent a series of flight tests at Eglin Field, Florida.
Although the aircraft demonstrated good high-altitude performance, it suffered from stability issues and was difficult to fly.
These issues, combined with the end of the war in Europe, led to the cancellation of the XP-62 program in July 1945.
Legacy
The XP-62 never entered production, and only one prototype was built.
However, some of the technologies developed for the aircraft, such as the pressurized cockpit and the use of laminar flow airfoils, were later incorporated into other aircraft designs.
Full Specifications
Crew
1 pilot
Length
35 ft 7 in (10.85 m)
Wingspan
44 ft 0 in (13.41 m)
Height
11 ft 9 in (3.58 m)
Wing area
268 sq ft (24.9 m²)
Empty weight
9,072 lb (4,113 kg)
Gross weight
12,180 lb (5,526 kg)
Powerplant
1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W radial engine,
2,400 hp (1,790 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed
440 mph (382 kn, 708 km/h) at 30,000 ft (9,144 m)
Cruise speed
300 mph (260 kn, 480 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Range
800 mi (695 nmi, 1,290 km)
Service ceiling
45,000 ft (13,700 m)
Rate of climb
3,200 ft/min (16.3 m/s)
Wing loading
45.5 lb/ft² (222 kg/m²)
Power/mass
0.197 hp/lb (0.324 kW/kg)
Armament
4 × 20mm Hispano M2 cannon in wings
Provision for 2 × 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombs or 4 × 500 lb (230 kg) bombs.
