Curtiss XP-46
Curtiss-Wright Corporation · United States · first flew 1941 · fighter
The Curtiss XP-46 was a 1940s American prototype fighter, developed by Curtiss-Wright to introduce the best features of 1939 European fighters and to succeed the P-40.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.19 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine low-wing fighter smaller than the P-40
- Wide-track inward-retracting landing gear
- Allison V-1710 V-12 engine in the nose
Planned armament was two .50 in synchronised machine guns in the forward fuselage with provision for eight .30 in wing guns, plus self-sealing fuel tanks and 65 lb of armour.
Specifications
- The Curtiss XP-46 has a length of 9.19 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.45 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 571 km/h (355 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
A US Army Air Corps specification based on a Curtiss proposal led to an order for the XP-46 in September 1939. It was to be a single-engine, low-wing aircraft slightly smaller than the P-40, with a 1,150 hp Allison V-1710-39. Two prototypes were delivered and the first flight was on 15 February 1941.
Variants
Two prototypes, designated XP-46A, were built.
Where you'll see it
The British Purchasing Commission ordered the P-46 in 1940 as a replacement for the P-40, but the order was cancelled. Performance in trials was inferior to the contemporary P-40D, and the programme was cancelled.
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