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XP-42
XP-42
	Curtiss XP-42 in its final configuration, 1945
General information
Type	Engine cooling research
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Curtiss-Wright
Number built	1
History
First flight	March 1939
Developed from	Curtiss P-36

The Curtiss XP-42 was an experimental fighter built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s to research engine cooling and improving the performance of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk.

Design and development

The fourth production P-36 (serial 38-004) became a development platform for a direct successor, designated XP-42 by the USAAC. The XP-42 was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 "Twin Wasp" engine fitted with a longer, streamlined cowling and a large propeller spinner. These features attempted to improve the aerodynamics of the air-cooled radial engine.

When the XP-42 first flew in March 1939, it proved to be faster than the P-36. However, the P-40 was faster still and the new nose cowling caused engine cooling problems that proved to be unresolvable, despite at least 12 sets of modifications, which ultimately resulted in a shorter and less streamlined cowling closely resembling the original P-36 Hawk. The XP-42 project was canceled. However, the XP-42 prototype was retained as a test-bed and was later fitted with an all-moving tail (stabilator), for research purposes.^[when?] This aircraft was scrapped on July 15, 1947.^[1]

Specifications (XP-42)

Data from Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947^[2]

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft 3.5 in (11.367 m)
Height: 11 ft 1 in (3.38 m) top of propeller disc
Wing area: 235.9 sq ft (21.92 m²)
Airfoil: root: NACA 2215; tip: NACA 2209^[3]
Empty weight: 4,818 lb (2,185 kg)
Gross weight: 5,650 lb (2,563 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 6,260 lb (2,839 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-31 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,050 hp (780 kW)
Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 315 mph (507 km/h, 274 kn) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
Cruise speed: 270 mph (430 km/h, 230 kn)
Range: 730 mi (1,170 km, 630 nmi)

Armament

Guns: provision for 1 × 0.30 in (7.6 mm) M1919 Browning machine gun and 1 × 0.50 in (13 mm) M2 Browning machine gun, but not fitted

References

^ "Curtiss P-36A Mohawk". Forgotten Props - A Warbirds Resource Group Site. Retrieved 2019-11-16.^{[unreliable source?]}
^ Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. p. 365. ISBN 978-0370100296.
^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.