Vultee XP-54 Swoose Goose
Vultee Aircraft · United States · first flew 1943 · fighter
The Vultee XP-54 'Swoose Goose' was an American single-seat pusher-engined twin-boom fighter prototype of unconventional layout, placing the pilot in a nose gondola and the engine amidships driving a rear pusher propeller. Despite its radical configuration it ultimately failed to offer advantages over conventional designs.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Lycoming XH-2470 engine in the rear fuselage driving a pusher propeller |
| T — Tail | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Tailless pusher layout with twin booms extending rearward from the wing
- Pilot seated in a nose gondola ahead of the engine — unusual fighter arrangement
- Lycoming XH-2470 engine in the rear fuselage driving a pusher propeller
The distinctive twin-boom pusher layout with a bulbous nose gondola for the pilot, a mid-fuselage engine installation, and the rear pusher propeller make the XP-54 unmistakeable.
Specifications
- The Vultee XP-54 Swoose Goose has a length of 16.69 m (55 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.41 m (54 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 613 km/h (381 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from 1940 to meet the same USAAF Specification XC-622 that produced the XP-55 and XP-56, the XP-54 first flew in January 1943. Engine problems with the Lycoming XH-2470 and overall disappointing performance led to cancellation after two prototypes. The 'Swoose Goose' nickname reflected its ungainly appearance.
Variants
Two prototypes were built with minor differences; no production variants were ordered.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; the two XP-54 prototypes completed flight testing before the programme was cancelled in 1944.
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