Curtiss XP-42


The Curtiss XP-42 was an experimental fighter built by Curtiss Aircraft in the late 1930s to research engine cooling and improving the performance of the Curtiss P-36.

Design and development

The fourth production P-36A became a development platform for a direct successor, designated XP-42 by the USAAC. The most striking difference from the P-36 was a longer, streamlined nose cowling. These features attempted to improve the aerodynamics of the air-cooled radial engine. Because of this feature, the XP-42 superficially resembled aircraft equipped with in-line liquid-cooled engines. When the XP-42 first flew in March 1939, it proved to be faster than the P-36. However, the P-40 was faster still and the new nose cowling caused engine cooling problems that proved to be unresolvable, despite at least 12 sets of modifications. The XP-42 project was canceled. However, the XP-42 prototype was retained as a test-bed and was later fitted with an all-moving tail, for research purposes. The XP-42 was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-31 engine fitted with extensions to the propeller shaft and nose casing to give it a streamlined nose.
This aircraft was scrapped on July 15, 1947

Specifications (XP-42)