10 Facts About Curtiss’ Final Fighters Of World War II (5 facts each)

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at Curtiss’ Final (Failed) Fighters of WWII, the XP-62, and XF14C, two of the high-performance quasi-superplanes that were utilized by the US Army Air Force and the US Navy.

The XP-62

1. It was designed as a fast fighter platform for the then largest engine available at that time, the Wright R-3350 “Cyclone 18.”

Work on it started even before the US committed to fighting in WWII. Curtis approached US Army officials and convinced them of the fighter’s potential.

The Wright R-3350 was chosen to give off a power of 2,300 hp. output.

2. It was to feature a modern metal skin construction and an impressive armament of 12 x 0.50 caliber Browning heavy machine guns

These machine guns could be supplanted by a battery of four to eight 20 mm cannons for a more powerful frontal punch.

3. When Curtis submitted its streamlined proposal, the aircraft was under the “Model 91” product name

Engineers immediately set to work but they soon found out that the aircraft’s engine wouldn’t be ready in time.

4. It made its first flight on July 21, 1943, but the model was still stripped of its vital components

However, it doesn’t appear anything close to a production fighter aircraft. If completed, the aircraft could have reached a maximum speed of 450 mph and a service ceiling of 35,700 ft.

5. The XP-62 marked as one of the final Curtis designs to be developed during the war years

The program was canceled a few months later as there were better alternative aircraft to the Army during the final years of the war.

Curtis XF14C

1. It was an American naval fighter aircraft

Curtiss-Wright produced it in 1941 for the US Navy to create a new shipboard high-performance fighter plane.

2. It was one of Curtiss-Wright’s final propeller aircraft

The  XF14C came from a US Navy order in June 1941 for the development of a high-altitude naval fighter utilizing the powerful Lycoming H-2470-4 inline hyperengine.

3. Its massive engine gave it a “jug” shape

The turbocharger exhaust was sticking out of the fuselage like a sore thumb. The engine provided the aircraft with a top speed of 424 mph, a range of 1350 miles, and a service ceiling of 40,000 ft. It could also reach a rate of climb of 2,700 ft. per minute.

4. Initial flight tests were disappointing

The aircraft didn’t provide any advantage to existing F6F and F4U fighters. Moreover, the engines and propellers created vibration issues.

5. Plagued by issues, the program was canceled

During the early part of 1945, the Curtis XF14C was officially canceled by the US Navy, leaving only one prototype. However, Curtiss continued development on a variant with a pressurized cockpit, but that was also canceled.