Republic XP-72
Republic Aviation Corporation · United States · first flew 1944 · fighter
The Republic XP-72 was an American single-seat 'superfighter' prototype, essentially a P-47 Thunderbolt airframe upgraded with the most powerful piston engine then available — the Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major — driving six-blade contra-rotating propellers. It was one of the fastest piston fighters ever built.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.15 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Contra-rotating propeller driven by a Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major radial
- Development of the P-47 Thunderbolt with a much more powerful engine
- Only two prototypes built — jets rendered piston superfighters unnecessary
Closely resembles the P-47 Thunderbolt in overall layout but is distinguished by the enormous R-4360 radial engine cowling and the six-blade contra-rotating propeller; the fuselage is slightly refined compared to the production Thunderbolt.
Specifications
- The Republic XP-72 has a length of 11.15 m (37 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.47 m (41 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 789 km/h (490 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed in 1943 as the logical development of the P-47, the XP-72 first flew in February 1944 and demonstrated exceptional speed. Two prototypes were evaluated, but the USAAF had already committed to jet propulsion for future fighters and no production contract was issued. The design represented the absolute pinnacle of piston fighter development.
Variants
Two XP-72 prototypes only; the second carried a contra-rotating propeller arrangement. No production variants were built.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the XP-72 is historically significant as one of the fastest propeller-driven aircraft of the war, alongside the British Sea Fury and Hawker Fury.
Related aircraft
- Republic RC-3 Seabee
- Republic XF-12 Rainbow
- Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor
- Republic XP-41
- Arado E.580
- Bell XP-77
- Blohm & Voss BV 155
- Curtiss SC Seahawk
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