Curtiss XA-14
| XA-14 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Curtiss XA-14 | |
| Role | Ground attack |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company |
| First flight | September 1935 |
| Status | Prototype |
| Primary user | U.S. Army Air Corps |
| Number built | 1[1] |
| Developed into | A-18 Shrike |
The Curtiss XA-14 was a 1930s United States airplane, the first multi-engine attack aircraft tested by the United States Army Air Corps. Carrying a crew of two, it was as fast as the standard pursuit aircraft in service at the time.
Design and development
Originally built as an in-house venture as the Curtiss Model 76, powered by two experimental Wright XR-1510 radial engines, flight testing was sufficiently impressive that after the USAAC appraisal the Model 76 was returned to Curtiss and fitted with two 775 hp (578 kW) Wright R-1670-5 Cyclone engines with constant-speed propellers. This configuration was accepted by the Army with the designation XA-14.[2] It had standard Army markings with the serial number 36-146.[3]
The Model 76 was of all-metal construction with an oval section semimonocoque fuselage, described as "pencil slim". The XA-14 was extensively tested, at one stage being fitted with a 37 mm (1.46 in) nose cannon.[4]
In July 1936, 13 developed versions, re-engined with two Wright R-1820-47 Cyclone twin-row radials, were ordered into production as the Y1A-18.[3]
Specifications (XA-14)
Data from USAF Museum
General characteristics
- Crew: two
- Length: 40 ft 3 in (12.3 m)
- Wingspan: 59 ft 5 in (18.11 m)
- Height: 10 ft 9 in (3.3 m)
- Max. takeoff weight: 11,750 lb (5,330 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Wright R-1670-5 radials, 775 hp (578 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 254 mph (221 kn, 409 km/h)
- Range: 825 mi (717 nmi, 1,328 km)
- Service ceiling: 27,100 ft (8,260 m)
Armament
- 4 × .30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns forward-firing
- 1 × .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun aft-firing
- 650 lb (295 kg) bombs in internal bay
See also
- Related development
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtiss military planes. |
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng, eds. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.
- Fahey, James C. U.S. Army Aircraft 1908-1946. New York: Ships and Aircraft, 1946.
- Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the 20th Century Weapons and Warfare, Vol. 21. London: Purnell & Sons Ltd. 1967/1969. ISBN 0-8393-6175-0.
- Swanborough, F. Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft Since 1909. New York: Putnam, 1964. ISBN 0-85177-816-X.