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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.

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XP-42
Role	Engine cooling research Type of aircraft
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Curtiss-Wright
First flight	March 1939
Number built	1
Developed from	Curtiss P-36

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-1830-31 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. Because of this feature, the XP-42 superficially resembled aircraft equipped with in-line liquid-cooled engines (such as the P-40, another development of the P-36).

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. 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. 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 + 1 × 0.50 in (13 mm) M2 Browning machine gun, but not fitted

See also

Related development

• Curtiss P-36 – precursor of the P-40
• Curtiss YP-37 – an experimental design based on the P-36
• Curtiss P-40
• Curtiss XP-46 – another design based on the P-40; not put into production

References

На других языках

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- [en] Curtiss XP-42

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[it] Curtiss XP-42

Il Curtiss XP-42, designazione aziendale Model 75S[1], fu un aereo da caccia monoposto, monomotore e monoplano ad ala bassa sviluppato dall'azienda aeronautica statunitense Curtiss-Wright Corporation nei tardi anni trenta e rimasto allo stadio di prototipo.

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