Curtiss-Wright XP-62

Curtiss-Wright · United States · first flew 1943 · fighter

The XP-62 was a large American single-seat high-altitude interceptor prototype developed by Curtiss-Wright, designed around the powerful Wright R-3350 radial engine with contra-rotating propellers. It was intended to escort bombers at extreme altitudes.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	12.04 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Large single-engine high-altitude interceptor with contra-rotating propeller
Mid-wing layout with wide-chord tapered wing
Wright R-3350 engine with turbo-supercharger for high-altitude performance

Distinguished by its large size for a single-engine fighter, wide-chord mid-mounted tapered wing, and prominent contra-rotating propeller assembly at the nose.

Specifications

The Curtiss-Wright XP-62 has a length of 12.04 m (40 ft).
It has a wingspan of 16.36 m (54 ft).
Its maximum speed is 721 km/h (448 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

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

History

Ordered in 1941 as a high-altitude fighter, the XP-62 was delayed by propeller and supercharger development issues and only flew in July 1943. By that time, jet propulsion and other fighter designs had made the concept obsolete, and the project was cancelled after a single prototype.

Variants

Only one prototype was completed; a planned second airframe was not finished.

Where you'll see it

Never entered production or service; the single prototype was used briefly for test flying before the programme was terminated.

Related aircraft

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