Brewster XA-32
{{Infobox aircraft
|name = XA-32
|image = Brewster XA-32.jpg
|caption = File:Brewster XA-32 during testing c. 1943 (U.S. Air Force photo)
|type = Single seat attack aircraft
|national_origin = United States
|manufacturer = Brewster Aeronautical Corporation
|designer =
|first_flight = 22 May 1943
|introduction =
|retired =1944
|status =
|primary_user =United States Army Air Forces (intended)
|more_users =
|produced =
|number_built = 2
|unit cost =
|variants =
}}
The Brewster XA-32 was an American attack aircraft, a mid-wing type with an internal bomb bay. The prototype had the R-2800 engine, but it could take the intended R-4360 powerplant. After a dismal set of test results, the XA-32 did not enter production.
Design and development
Brewster Aeronautical Corporation's F2A Buffalo won the first Navy monoplane fighter competition over Grumman's entry. The company continued to design and produce lackluster aircraft, and the XA-32, despite a sound layout, became a compendium of management-induced faults. Missing production deadline dates and constant changes to the design jeopardized a promising design (at least on paper).
Initially designed in 1941, the XA-32 was grossly overweight, at almost {{convert|20000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, similar to the Douglas A-20 Havoc. The drag induced by its bulbous shape was amplified by careless detail design, which left it festooned with bumps and lumps. One disastrous characteristic was that the exhaust scoops that ringed the cowling nearly blinded the test pilots during night flying; the backfiring at low power settings resulted in flames engulfing the nose of the aircraft. Even with the {{convert|2100|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Pratt & Whitney R-2800, the XA-32 was underpowered and an attempt to re-engine the aircraft with the {{convert|3000|hp|kW|abbr=on}} Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major was unsuccessful.
Testing
The first flight of the XA-32 prototype was not until May 22, 1943, two years after the design was proposed; and almost every aspect of performance fell short of the specifications. Devoid of weapons load, the XA-32 could only reach {{convert|279|mph|kn km/h|abbr=on}} and although handling was adequate, as soon as armament and external stores were added, the performance dropped drastically and more seriously, the disturbed airflow "set up severe buffeting at its top speed."McCullough 1995, p. 18. The firm was in such management shambles that it drew the wrath of Congress and actually went out of the aircraft manufacturing business following the debacle of the XA-32.
Only two examples were built, the XA-32 (S/N 42-13568) and XA-32A ( S/N 42-13569), both of which were scrapped at the conclusion of flight testing.
Specifications (XA-32)
{{Aircraft specs
|prime units?=imp
|crew=one
|capacity=
|length m=
|length ft=40
|length in=7
|length note=
|span m=
|span ft=45
|span in=1
|span note=
|height m=3.44
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=13500
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney R-2800-37 Double Wasp
|eng1 type=radial engine
|eng1 kw=
|eng1 hp=2100
|eng1 note=
|power original=
|prop blade number=
|prop name=
|prop dia m=
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop note=
|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=311
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=196
|cruise speed kts=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi=
|range note=
|combat range km=
|combat range miles=500
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=26000
|ceiling note=
|g limits=
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|more performance=
|guns= 8 × .50-cal. machine guns or 4 x 37mm gun aéro-journal N°23
|bombs= {{convert|1000|lb}} in an internal fuselage bomb bay and {{convert|2000|lb}} underwing
|rockets=
|missiles=
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=
|avionics=
}}
References
=Notes=
{{Reflist}}
=Bibliography=
{{Refbegin}}
- McCullough, Anson. "Grind 'Em Out Ground Attack: The Search for the Elusive Fighter Bomber." Wings, Vol. 25, No. 4, August 1995.
{{Refend}}
External links
{{commons category|Brewster XA-32}}
- [http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplanes/aircraft/xa-32.htm Dave's War Birds - Brewster XA-32]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110914053734/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3170 USAF National Museum - Brewster XA-32]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110914020111/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3171 USAF National Museum - Brewster XA-32A]
{{Brewster aircraft}}
{{USAF attack aircraft}}
Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft
Category:Single-engined piston aircraft
Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear
Category:Aircraft first flown in 1943
Category:Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United States