Why The P-66 Vanguard Failed

The Vultee P-66 Vanguard was an American fighter aircraft that remains one of the most obscure and least discussed of its class. Developed by the United States, ordered by Sweden, and eventually flown by China, the Vanguard had a brief and unfortunate career.

Although designed as a fighter, it spent most of its time with the US Army as a training aircraft. When it did see combat overseas, it faced far more capable opponents. The P-66 was cursed with being average and arrived too late to make a significant impact. Had it been available earlier, it might have found relevance in the war’s early stages, but that wasn’t the case.

Origins

The plane’s development began in 1938, with war on the horizon. Vultee, a relatively new player in the aircraft industry, produced a prototype that first flew in 1939. The Vanguard initially looked promising, but it quickly ran into problems, particularly with its engine, which frequently overheated during test flights. Despite several modifications, there was little improvement in performance.

With more powerful aircraft already in development, the U.S. showed little interest. However, Sweden placed an order for 144 Vanguards before the U.S. Army took over the order following Pearl Harbor. By April 1942, all 144 were delivered.

Development and Use

Designated the P-66 Vanguard, it was evaluated as a pursuit fighter but was found inferior to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, except for its slightly better high-altitude performance. Outmatched by newer aircraft, the Vanguard was used as an advanced trainer but quickly proved inadequate, plagued by persistent issues.

The Army offered the planes to Britain, but ultimately sold them to China.

Final Fate

A total of 104 Vanguards were meant to be shipped to China, intended to support the American Volunteer Group. However, many were damaged during transport. Fewer than 15 arrived in China in usable condition, and the rest were lost to accidents. The Vanguard’s lackluster performance meant it couldn’t match Japanese fighters in combat. By the end of 1943, most were replaced by the Curtiss P-40.

The P-66 Vanguard would be the only fighter Vultee produced before it merged with Consolidated Aircraft to form Convair, which would go on to design some of the most innovative aircraft of the Cold War era.