XP-22 Hawk
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XP-22 Hawk | |
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Type | Experimental biplane fighter |
Manufacturer | Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company |
Primary user | United States Army Air Force |
Number built | 1 |
The Curtiss XP-22 Hawk was an 1930s American experimental biplane fighter built by Curtiss for evaluation by the United States Army Air Service.
Contents |
[edit] Development
In 1929, the AAC ordered three P-11 Hawks for testing of the 600 hp (447 kW) Curtiss H-1640 Chieftain engine. This engine proved a failure, and before completion, one of the three was converted to use a 9-cylinder 575 hp Cyclone, being completed as the YP-20. Testing with the R1820 was prolonged, so the Army acquired another of the three P-11s, instead. This became the XP-22.
A number of changes were made for installing the 700 hp (520 kW) Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror engine. The radiator was relocated, a new cowl was fitted, and the tail was given more fin and less rudder area,[1] and featured a steerable tailwheel, rather than the original skid.[2] For these changes, Curtiss charged only US$1.
During testing, the XP-22 underwent a number of alterations and improvements, including a change from a three-strut landing gear to a single streamlined strut, later fitted with wheel pants; fillets were added where struts joined the wing; and the tail was briefly reduced in area, to P-6 standard. The XP-22 was also the Army's first fighter capable of 200 mph (320 km/h), achieving 202 mph (325 km/h).[3]
In June 1931, the AAC held a competition to evaluate the P-6, P-12, YP-20, and XP-22. The XP-22 came out the winner, earning a contract for 45 aircraft as the Y1P-22. Following the trials, the XP-22 donated a nose and landing gear graft to the YP-20, which became the XP-6E, and the 45 production aircraft were completed to this standard.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications
Data from U.S.Fighters, Lloyd Jones, Aero Publishers, 1975.
General characteristics
- Crew: one pilot
- Length: 23 ft 7 in (7.2 m)
- Wingspan: 31 ft 6 in (9.6 m)
- Height: 8 ft 10 in (2.7 m)
- Wing area: 252 ft² (23.41 m²)
- Empty weight: 2,597lb (1178 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 3,354 lb (1521 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× V-1570 Conqueror water-cooled 12-cylinder vee engine, 575 hp ()
Performance
- Maximum speed: 176 knots (202 mph (325 km/h))
- Service ceiling 26,500 ft (8,077 m)
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons and Warfare. Volume 12, pp.1255-6, "Hawk, Curtiss Models 34 and 35 P-1 to P-6 and F6C". London: Phoebus Publishing, 1978.
- Donald, David, ed. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, ON: Prospero Books, 1997.
- Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Fighters. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, 1975.
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