Lockheed XP-49
Lockheed Corporation · United States · first flew 1942 · fighter
The Lockheed XP-49 was an American experimental fighter based closely on the P-38 Lightning airframe, developed to test alternative engines and improved performance. Only a single prototype was built.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-engine American fighter based on P-38 Lightning airframe
- Twin-boom layout with central nacelle cockpit
- Continental XI-1430 liquid-cooled engines
Virtually identical in layout to the P-38 Lightning with its twin booms, central nacelle, and twin engines, but with different engine cowlings reflecting the Continental powerplants.
Specifications
- The Lockheed XP-49 has a length of 12.2 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.8 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 653 km/h (406 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed under a 1939 contract to evaluate the Continental XI-1430 engine installation in a P-38-derived airframe, the XP-49 first flew in 1942. It proved only marginally superior to the production P-38 and the programme was cancelled, with the P-38J representing a more practical improvement path.
Variants
Only a single XP-49 prototype was completed.
Where you'll see it
Never entered production or service; used solely for engine and performance evaluation.
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