XP-22 Hawk

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XP-22 Hawk
Type Experimental biplane fighter
Manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
Primary user United States Army Air Force
Number built 1

The Curtiss XP-22 Hawk was an 1930s American experimental biplane fighter built by Curtiss for evaluation by the United States Army Air Service.

Contents

[edit] Development

In 1929, the AAC ordered three P-11 Hawks for testing of the 600 hp (447 kW) Curtiss H-1640 Chieftain engine. This engine proved a failure, and before completion, one of the three was converted to use a 9-cylinder 575 hp Cyclone, being completed as the YP-20. Testing with the R1820 was prolonged, so the Army acquired another of the three P-11s, instead. This became the XP-22.

A number of changes were made for installing the 700 hp (520 kW) Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror engine. The radiator was relocated, a new cowl was fitted, and the tail was given more fin and less rudder area,[1] and featured a steerable tailwheel, rather than the original skid.[2] For these changes, Curtiss charged only US$1.

During testing, the XP-22 underwent a number of alterations and improvements, including a change from a three-strut landing gear to a single streamlined strut, later fitted with wheel pants; fillets were added where struts joined the wing; and the tail was briefly reduced in area, to P-6 standard. The XP-22 was also the Army's first fighter capable of 200 mph (320 km/h), achieving 202 mph (325 km/h).[3]

In June 1931, the AAC held a competition to evaluate the P-6, P-12, YP-20, and XP-22. The XP-22 came out the winner, earning a contract for 45 aircraft as the Y1P-22. Following the trials, the XP-22 donated a nose and landing gear graft to the YP-20, which became the XP-6E, and the 45 production aircraft were completed to this standard.

[edit] Operators

Flag of the United States United States

[edit] Specifications

Data from U.S.Fighters, Lloyd Jones, Aero Publishers, 1975.

General characteristics

Performance


[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons and Warfare (London: Phoebus, 1978), Volume 12, p.1255.
  2. ^ Fitzsimons, p.1255.
  3. ^ Jones, p.58.

[edit] References

  • Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons and Warfare. Volume 12, pp.1255-6, "Hawk, Curtiss Models 34 and 35 P-1 to P-6 and F6C". London: Phoebus Publishing, 1978.
  • Donald, David, ed. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, ON: Prospero Books, 1997.
  • Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Fighters. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, 1975.

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