Consolidated P-30A
Consolidated Aircraft · United States · first flew 1934 · fighter
The Consolidated P-30A was the production variant of the two-seat turbosupercharged pursuit aircraft developed for the US Army Air Corps, representing a refined evolution of the Y1P-25 prototype. It was the only turbosupercharged pursuit type in service with the Air Corps in the mid-1930s.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Curtiss Conqueror V-12 with supercharger bulge on fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Two-seat turbosupercharged pursuit monoplane
- Curtiss Conqueror V-12 with supercharger bulge on fuselage
- Enclosed cockpit and rear gunner position
A distinctive 1930s low-wing monoplane with a long liquid-cooled engine nose, a turbosupercharger installation visible as a bulge below the rear fuselage, and both cockpits partially enclosed.
Specifications
- The Consolidated P-30A has a length of 9.14 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.39 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 395 km/h (245 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The P-30 entered USAAC service in 1935, with the P-30A following with the Curtiss V-1570-61 Conqueror engine and other refinements. Only 50 were built and they served briefly before being replaced by more modern single-seat designs. They were redesignated PB-2A in 1936.
Variants
The P-30 was the initial production model; the P-30A (later PB-2A) incorporated a more capable turbosupercharger. No further development of the two-seat pursuit concept was pursued.
Where you'll see it
Served with US Army Air Corps pursuit groups in the mid-1930s, primarily at Selfridge Field and Barksdale Field, being phased out as the Seversky P-35 and Curtiss P-36 entered service.
Related aircraft
- Consolidated A-11
- Consolidated PBY Catalina
- Consolidated XB2Y-1
- Consolidated Y1P-25
- Aero A.102
- ANF Les Mureaux 115
- Arado Ar 68
- Arado Ar 76
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.