Curtiss XBTC-1
Curtiss · United States · first flew 1945 · bomber
The Curtiss XBTC-1 was a prototype single-seat carrier-based torpedo-bomber designed to replace the Douglas SBD and Curtiss SB2C in US Navy service at the end of World War II.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.88 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat carrier torpedo-bomber prototype
- Large contra-rotating propeller on Pratt & Whitney R-4360
- Straight mid-wing with wide-track undercarriage
A large single-engine monoplane with a very prominent contra-rotating propeller, wide-track folding undercarriage, and a relatively portly fuselage housing the Wasp Major engine.
Specifications
- The Curtiss XBTC-1 has a length of 12.88 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.94 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 587 km/h (365 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed to a 1944 US Navy requirement, the XBTC-1 used the massive Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major engine with contra-rotating propellers and featured a straight mid-wing with an internal weapons bay. First flown in January 1945, it showed strong performance but the Navy's shift toward jets and the end of the war eliminated any production prospect. Only two prototypes were completed.
Variants
Two prototypes were built; the second served as the XBTC-2 with aerodynamic refinements. No production followed.
Where you'll see it
Not adopted for service; both prototypes used for US Navy evaluation only.
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- de Havilland Mosquito B Mk 35
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