XP-55 Ascender
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A highly unusual design for its time, the Curtiss XP-55 Ascender was of the canard configuration, with a pusher prop and two vertical tails. Designed in response to an Army Air Corps request for "unconventional" designs, it had to be redesigned when the intended engine was cancelled. The first of four prototypes flew July 13, 1943, and were found to have acceptable performance, although they were somewhat unstable. The Ascender's performance never significantly exceeded that of conventional designs, was underpowered in terms of armament, and was subsequently cancelled without ever reaching production.
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General characteristics
- Wingspan: 40 ft 7 in (12.4 m)
- Length: 29 ft 7 in (9.0 m)
- Height: 10 ft 0 in (3.0 m)
- Weight: 6,354 lb (2,882 kg) empty, 7,710 lb (3,497 kg) gross
- Engine: Allison V-1710-95 of 1,275 hp (951 kW)
- Maximum speed: 390 mph (628 km/h) at 19,300 ft (5,900 m)
- Service ceiling: 34,600 ft (10,500 m)
- Armament: Four .50-cal (12.7 mm) machine guns
References
- William Green (1961). War Planes of the Second World War - Fighters, (Vol 4). London: MacDonald
Internet
- USAF Museum article: [1] (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/p55.htm)
- NASM article: [2] (http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/curtiss_xp55.htm)
Related Content
Similar Aircraft: Kyushu J7W - Henschel P.75
Designation Series: XP-52 - XP-53 - XP-54 - XP-55 - XP-56 - XP-57 - XP-58
Related Lists: List of military aircraft of the United States - List of fighter aircraft
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