Curtiss XP-22 Hawk

Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company · United States · first flew 1931 · fighter

The Curtiss XP-22 was an experimental single-seat pursuit biplane developed in 1931 from a converted P-11 airframe, fitted with a single-strut cantilever undercarriage and a more powerful Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror V-12 engine. At the time of its speed tests it was the fastest fighter in US Army service.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• Single-strut cantilever main undercarriage — no wire bracing
• V-12 Conqueror engine under a long, narrow nose cowling
• Single-bay biplane with the guns relocated from the nose to the fuselage sides

The characteristic single-strut cantilever main undercarriage distinguishes the XP-22 from its wire-braced Hawk biplane contemporaries; the V-12 engine gives it a longer, narrower nose profile than radial-engined variants.

Specifications

• The Curtiss XP-22 Hawk has a length of 7.19 m (24 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 9.6 m (31 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 325 km/h (202 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The XP-22 was converted from a P-11 prototype and evaluated in June 1931, reaching 202 mph — the highest speed of any US Army pursuit aircraft to that date. Despite this performance the Army did not order production, preferring the lower-wing monoplane direction that led to the P-26. Only one aircraft was built.

Variants

A single prototype converted from the P-11 airframe; no production variants were developed.

Where you'll see it

Served only as a US Army Air Corps evaluation aircraft, never entering operational unit service.

Related aircraft

• Curtiss XP-31 Swift
• Curtiss P-1A Hawk
• Curtiss R2C
• Curtiss CR
• Aero A.46
• Arado Ar 65
• Boeing F4B-2
• Boeing F4B-4

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