Curtiss XP-46
United States (1941)
CLOSE ×
Where applicable, the appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Russian Ministry of Defense, Chinese Ministry of Defense or British Ministry of Defence visual information does not imply or constitute endorsement of this website (www.MilitaryFactory.com). Images marked with "www.MilitaryFactory.com" or featuring the Military Factory logo are copyrighted works exclusive to this site and not for reuse in any form.
The Curtiss XP-46 fighter program would be doomed from the start, effectively dooming the Curtiss company itself.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Curtiss XP-46 Fighter Aircraft Prototype. Entry last updated on 6/26/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com
The XP-46 was to take everything right about the P-40 and make it better. Along the way, the drawbacks of the 1930s-era system would be ironed out. The result was to be a small nimble fighter capable of a dreamed-up speed of over 400 miles per hour and built in the same vein as the successful Bf 109 and the Supermarine Spitfires - a fighter the American forces could call upon to conduct most any type of operation on any front.
With production of the P-40 Warhawk in full swing, designers at Curtiss had sold the idea of a more powerful successor to the US Army Air Corps, to which two prototypes were ordered. The design called for the system to be powered by an Allison brand liquid-cooled engine capable of 1,150 horsepower fitted into a smallish frame. Armament - proposed but never fitted to either prototype - was consist of eight .30 caliber machine guns mounted in the wings with an additional two .50 caliber systems in the nose.
By the time the second prototype had flown as the XP-46A, the system was already showing clear signs of never really matching even the outdated P-40 it was to replace. Looking every bit like the P-40 itself, the XP-46 proved to be slow-responding for a fighter and the 400mph speed was never close to being reached. The samples were later scrapped and the Curtiss company was finished - leaving the P-40 Warhawk as the single symbol of their fighter-designing days of success behind.
Any available statistics for the Curtiss XP-46 Fighter Aircraft Prototype are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).
Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 400mph
Lo: 200mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (355mph).
Graph average of 300 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Curtiss XP-46's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
2
2
* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.
** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.
Altitude Visualization
Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool
Supported Mission Types:
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Origin: United States
Year: 1941
Type: Fighter Aircraft Prototype
Manufacturer(s): Curtiss - USA
Production: 2
Global Operators:
United States (cancelled)
United States (cancelled)
Historical Commitments / Honors:
* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Curtiss XP-46 model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Operational
CREW
Personnel
1
Dimension
LENGTH
Feet
30.18 ft
Meters
9.2 m
Dimension
WIDTH
Feet
34.45 ft
Meters
10.5 m
Dimension
HEIGHT
Feet
12.99 ft
Meters
3.96 m
Weight
EMPTY
Pounds
5,624 lb
Kilograms
2,551 kg
Weight
LOADED
Pounds
7,663 lb
Kilograms
3,476 kg
1 x Allison V-1710-39 liquid-cooled inline piston engine developing 1,150 horsepower.
Performance
SPEED
Miles-per-Hour
355 mph
Kilometers-per-Hour
571 kph
Knots
308 kts
Performance
RANGE
Miles
325 mi
Kilometers
523 km
Nautical Miles
282 nm
Performance
CEILING
Feet
27,999 ft
Meters
8,534 m
Miles
5.30 mi
Performance
CLIMB RATE
Feet-per-Minute
2,000 ft/min
Meters-per-Minute
610 m/min
Supported Weapon Systems:
Armament - Hardpoints (0):
PROPOSED:
8 x 7.62mm machine guns in wings
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose
PROPOSED:
8 x 7.62mm machine guns in wings
2 x 12.7mm machine guns in nose
Variants:
Series Model Variants
• XP-46 - S/N 40-3053; first prototype sans armament.
• XP-46A - S/N 40-3054; second prototype (flyable); no armament fitted.
• XP-46 - S/N 40-3053; first prototype sans armament.
• XP-46A - S/N 40-3054; second prototype (flyable); no armament fitted.