Curtiss XP-22 Hawk
{{short description|Experimental biplane fighter}}
{{Infobox aircraft
|name=XP-22 Hawk
|image=Curtiss XP-22 060906-F-1234P-008.jpg
|caption=
|type=Experimental biplane fighter
|manufacturer=Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
|designer=
|first_flight=
|introduction=
|retired=
|status=
|primary_user=United States Army Air Forces
|more_users=
|produced=
|number_built=1
|variants=Curtiss P-6 Hawk
}}
The Curtiss XP-22 Hawk was a 1930s American experimental biplane fighter built by Curtiss for evaluation by the United States Army Air Service.
Design and development
In 1929, the AAC ordered three P-11 Hawks for testing of the 600 hp (447 kW) 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 (429 kW) Cyclone, being completed as the YP-20. Testing with the R-1820 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, and featured a steerable tailwheel, rather than the original skid. For these changes, Curtiss charged only US$1.Fitzsimons 1978, p. 1255.
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).Jones 1975, p. 58.
Operational history
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.
Operators
;{{USA}}
Specifications (XP-22 Hawk)
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=U.S.Fighters, Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947{{cite book |last1=Bowers |first1=Peter M. |title=Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947 |date=1979 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=0370100298 |page=262}}
|prime units?=imp
|crew=1
|length ft=23
|length in=7
|length note=
|span ft=31
|span in=6
|span note=
|height ft=8
|height in=10
|height note=
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=
|empty weight lb=2597
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=
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|max takeoff weight lb=3354
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=Curtiss V-1570-23 Conqueror
|eng1 type=V-12 water-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=575
|prop blade number=2
|prop name=propeller
|prop dia ft=
|prop dia in=
|prop dia note=
|max speed mph=202
|max speed note=
|cruise speed mph=
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|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
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|endurance=
|ceiling ft=26500
|ceiling note=
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|guns= 2x {{cvt|0.300|in|2}} machine-guns in the fuselage sides
}}
References
{{commons category|Curtiss XP-22 Hawk}}
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- Donald, David, ed. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada: Prospero Books, 1997. {{ISBN|1-85605-375-X}}.
- Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. "Hawk, Curtiss Models 34 and 35 P-1 to P-6 and F6C". Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons and Warfare. Volume 12, pp. 1255–1256, London: Phoebus Publishing, 1978.
- Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Fighters: 1925-1980s. Fallbrook, California: Aero Publishers, Inc., 1975. {{ISBN|0-8168-9200-8}}.
{{USAF fighters}}
{{Curtiss aircraft}}