US Attack
Aircraft of the World War II Era
by Ryan Crierie
(version 0.9,
27 Feb 2009)
Most photographs courtesy of the National Museum of the US Air Force's website.
Note Concerning Designations: You may notice several aircraft in this list, which never actually saw any US service, but were designated in the A-series sequence. The reason for this was to comply with contractual requirements as required by the Lend-Lease Act.
A-1
Notes: Deliberately skipped, to avoid confusion with the then in-service A-1 Ambulance aircraft
A-2
Performance:
Engine:
Top Speed:
Cruising
Speed:
Landing
Speed:
Climb
Rate:
Service
Ceiling:
Range:
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
Wing
Area:
Length:
Height:
Empty
Weight:
Gross
Weight:
Maximum
Weight:
Fuel:
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
A-3
Performance:
Engine:
Top Speed:
Cruising
Speed:
Landing
Speed:
Climb
Rate:
Service
Ceiling:
Range:
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
Wing
Area:
Length:
Height:
Empty
Weight:
Gross
Weight:
Maximum
Weight:
Fuel:
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
A-4
Performance:
Engine:
Top Speed:
Cruising
Speed:
Landing
Speed:
Climb
Rate:
Service
Ceiling:
Range:
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
Wing
Area:
Length:
Height:
Empty
Weight:
Gross
Weight:
Maximum
Weight:
Fuel:
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
A-5
Performance:
Engine:
Top Speed:
Cruising
Speed:
Landing
Speed:
Climb
Rate:
Service
Ceiling:
Range:
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
Wing
Area:
Length:
Height:
Empty
Weight:
Gross
Weight:
Maximum
Weight:
Fuel:
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
A-6
Performance:
Engine:
Top Speed:
Cruising
Speed:
Landing
Speed:
Climb
Rate:
Service
Ceiling:
Range:
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
Wing
Area:
Length:
Height:
Empty
Weight:
Gross
Weight:
Maximum
Weight:
Fuel:
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
XA-7
Fokker
Performance:
Engine:
Curtiss V-1570-27 providing 600 hp
Top
Speed:
184 MPH
Landing
Speed:
61 MPH
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
46 feet 9 inches
Wing Area: 333 square feet
Length:
31 feet
Height: 9 feet 5 inches
Empty Weight:
3,866 lbs
Gross Weight: 5,650
lbs
Fuel: 102 gallons
Armament:
4
x .30 MGs
1 x .30 MG (rear gunner)
XA-8 Shrike
Curtiss
Performance:
Engine:
Curtiss V-1570-23
providing 600 hp
Top
Speed:
197 MPH at sea level, 191 MPH at 5,000 feet
Cruising
Speed: 162.5 MPH
Landing
Speed:
75 MPH (65 MPH with flaps down)
Service
Ceiling: 19,800 feet
Absolute Ceiling:
21,450 feet
Range:
682 miles
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
44 feet
Wing
Area:
285 square feet
Length:
32 feet 6 inches
Height:
9 feet
Empty
Weight: 3,673
lbs
Gross
Weight: 5,413 lbs
Fuel:
96 to 123 gallons
Armament:
4
x .30 MGs
1 x .30 MG (rear gunner)
Could carry:
Notes: First flew in June 1931.
YA-8
Shrike
Curtiss
Performance:
Engine:
Curtiss V-1570-31
providing 600 hp
Top
Speed:
183 MPH at sea level, 179.5 MPH at 5,000 feet
Cruising
Speed: 157.5 MPH
Landing
Speed:
69 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 18,100 feet
Absolute Ceiling: 19,700
feet
Range:
425 miles with 464 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
44 feet 3 inches
Wing
Area:
285 square feet
Length:
32 feet 10 inches
Height:
9 feet
Empty
Weight: 3,938
lbs
Gross
Weight: 5,706 lbs (check book)
Maximum
Weight:
Fuel:
53 to 101 gallons
Armament:
Could carry:
A-8A
Shrike (Y1A-8A)
Curtiss
Performance:
Engine:
Curtiss V-1570-57
providing 675 hp
Top
Speed:
181 MPH at sea level, 176 MPH at 5,000 feet
Cruising
Speed: 156 MPH
Landing
Speed:
75.5 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 17,000 feet
Absolute Ceiling:
18,600 feet
Range:
624 miles
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
44 feet 3 inches
Wing
Area:
285 square feet
Length:
33 feet 7 inches
Height:
9 feet 2 inches
Empty
Weight: 4,330
lbs
Gross
Weight: 6,287 lbs
Fuel:
57 to 105 gallons
YA-9
Lockheed
Notes: Attack version of the YP-24. Died due to Lockheed's inability to deliver the five contracted aircraft.
YA-10
Shrike
Curtiss
Performance:
Engine:
Pratt & Whitney
R-1690-9 providing 625 hp at sea level
Top
Speed:
175 MPH at sea level
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
44 feet 3 inches
Wing
Area:
285 square feet
Length:
32 feet 6 inches
Gross
Weight: 6,135 lbs
Fuel:
53 to 101 gallons
Armament:
4
x .30 MGs
1 x .30 MG (rear gunner)
Could
carry:
10 x 30 lb bombs
(Internally)
or
4
x 116 lb bombs (Externally)
Notes: This is actually the first YA-8 built; it was held up and refitted with air-cooled P&W Hornets. Due to experience with this installation, the US Army began to favor air-cooled engines for future ground attack aircraft. Was offered to the US Navy in a slightly modified version by Curtiss as the XS2C-1.
A-11
Consolidated
Performance:
Engine:
Curtiss V-1570-59
providing 675 hp
Top
Speed:
227.5 MPH at sea level
Cruising
Speed: 193 MPH
Landing
Speed:
84 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 23,300 feet
Absolute Ceiling: 24,900
feet
Range:
470 miles with 327 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
43 feet 11 inches
Wing
Area:
297 Square feet
Length:
29 feet 3 inches
Height:
9 feet 10 inches
Empty
Weight: 3,805
lbs
Gross
Weight: 5,490 lbs
Fuel:
90 to 180 gallons
Armament:
four
fixed-wing guns, and one flexible gun
Could
carry:
10 x 30 pound bombs
Notes: Development of the basic design of the YA-9 by Consolidated. Produced initially as the Y1A-11.
XA-11A
Consolidated
Notes: A-11 modified by Bell Aircraft in December 1936 as a flying test bed for the Allison V-1710 1,000 hp engine.
A-12
Curtiss
Performance:
Engine:
Wright R-1820-21
providing 670 hp at sea level
Top
Speed:
177 MPH at sea level, 173.5 MPH at 5,000 feet
Cruising
Speed: 150.5 MPH
Landing
Speed:
69.5 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 15,150 feet
Absolute Ceiling:
16,600 feet
Range:
510 miles with 464 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
44 feet
Wing
Area:
285 square feet
Length:
32 feet 3 inches
Height:
9 feet 4 inches
Empty
Weight: 3,898
lbs
Gross
Weight: 5,756 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 5,900
lbs
Fuel:
66 to 114 gallons
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
XA-13
Northrop
Performance:
Engine:
Wright R-1820-37
providing 712 hp at 3,300 feet
Top
Speed:
207 MPH at 3,300 feet
Cruising
Speed: 172 MPH
Landing
Speed:
70 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 21,750 feet
Absolute Ceiling:
23,600 feet
Range:
1,100 miles
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
48 feet
Wing
Area:
362 square feet
Length:
29 feet 2 inches
Height:
9 feet 2 inches
Empty
Weight: 3,600
lbs
Gross
Weight: 6,463 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 6,575
lbs
Fuel:
245 gallons
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
YA-13
Northrop
XA-14
Curtiss
Performance:
Engine:
2 x Wright R-1670-5
providing 775 hp at 10,000 feet
Top
Speed:
243 MPH at sea level, 249 MPH at 4,550 feet, 254 MPH at 9,750
feet
Cruising
Speed: 211 MPH
Landing
Speed:75
MPH
Service
Ceiling: 27,125 feet
Absolute Ceiling:
28,500 feet
Range:
816 miles with 600 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
59 feet 5 inches
Wing
Area:
526 square feet
Length:
40 feet 3 inches
Height:
10 feet 9 inches
Empty
Weight: 8,456
lbs
Gross
Weight: 11,738 lbs
Fuel:
287 to 617 gallons
Armament:
4
x .30 Caliber MGs (Nose)
1 x .30 Caliber MG (Flexible Rear Gun)
Could
carry:
20 x 30 lb bombs
or
4
x 116 lb bombs
XA-15
Martin
Notes: Proposed attack version of the Martin YB-10. Would have had two R-1820-25s, and weighed 12,356 lbs gross. Top speed would be 214 MPH at 4,500 feet. This design was terminated in the paper stage in favor of the XA-14, which promised faster speed.
XA-16
Northrop
Performance:
Engine:
Pratt & Whitney
R-1830-9 delivering 950 hp at takeoff and 850 hp at 8,000 feet
Top
Speed:
212 MPH
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
48 feet
Wing
Area:
362 square feet
Length:
29 feet 8 inches
Gross
Weight: 6,750
lbs
Notes: YA-13 with 850 hp R-1830-9s.
A-17
Northrop
Performance:
Engine:
Pratt & Whitney
R-1535-11 delivering 750 hp
Top
Speed:
206 MPH at sea level
Cruising
Speed: 170 MPH
Landing
Speed:
67.5 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 20,700 feet
Absolute Ceiling: 22,150
feet
Range:
650 miles with 654 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
47 feet 9 inches
Wing
Area:
362 square feet
Length:
32 feet
Height:
12 feet
Empty
Weight: 4,913
lbs
Gross
Weight: 7,337 lbs
Fuel:
150 to 287 gallons
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
A-17A
Northrop
Performance:
Engine:
Pratt & Whitney
R-1535-13 providing 825 hp at 2,500 feet
Top
Speed:
220 MPH at 2,500 feet
Cruising
Speed: 170 MPH
Landing
Speed:
64 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 19,400 feet
Absolute Ceiling:
20,800 feet
Range:
732 miles with 654 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
47 feet 9 inches
Wing
Area:
362 square feet
Length:
31 feet 8 inches
Height:
12 feet
Empty
Weight: 5,106
lbs
Gross
Weight: 7,550 lbs
Fuel:
151 to 247 gallons
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
A-18
Curtiss
Performance:
Engine:
Wright R-1820-47
providing 930 hp at takeoff and 850 hp at 2,500 feet
Top
Speed:
238.5 MPH at 2,500 feet
Cruising
Speed: 211 MPH
Landing
Speed:
73 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 28,650 feet
Absolute
Ceiling:
30,000 feet
Range:
1,443 miles with 654 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
59 feet 6 inches
Wing
Area:
526 square feet
Length:
42 feet 4 inches
Height:
15 feet
Empty
Weight: 9,410
lbs
Gross
Weight: 12,679 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 13,170
lbs
Fuel:
287 to 630 gallons
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
Y1A-18
Curtiss
Notes: First flew July 3, 1937, thirteen were built, of which twelve served in the 8th Attack Squadron until they were transferred to the 15th Attack Squadron.
YA-19
Vultee
Performance:
Engine:
2 x Pratt &
Whitney R-1830-17 providing 1,200 hp at takeoff and 1,050 hp at 6,500
feet
Top
Speed:
230 MPH at 6,500 feet
Cruising
Speed: 207 MPH
Landing
Speed:
80 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 20,400 feet
Absolute
Ceiling:
22,000 feet
Range:
1,100 miles with 1,080 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
50 feet
Wing
Area:
384 square feet
Length:
37 feet 10 inches
Height:
10 feet
Empty
Weight: 6,452
lbs
Gross
Weight: 10,421 lbs
Fuel:
30 to 311 gallons
Armament:
6
x .30 cal MGs
Could
carry:
36 x 30 lb bombs
Notes: Improved V-11 export plane ordered June 24, 1938 for evaluation by the US Army. First flew January 27, 1939.
XA-19A
Vultee
Notes: Last YA-19 built. Converted into engine test bed for the 1,200 hp Lycoming O-1230-1 engine with a longer tail. First flew in this configuration May 22, 1940.
XA-19B
Vultee
Note: Second YA-19 built. Was converted into a flying engine test bed for the Pratt and Whitney R-2800-1.
A-20
Havoc
Douglas
A-20A
Havoc
Douglas
A-20B
Havoc
Douglas
A-20C
Havoc
Douglas
A-20D
Havoc
Douglas
A-20E
Havoc
Douglas
XA-20F
Havoc
Douglas
A-20G
Havoc
Douglas
A-20H
Havoc
Douglas
A-20J
Havoc
Douglas
A-20K
Havoc
Douglas
XA-21
Stearman
Performance:
Engine:
2
x Pratt & Whitney R-2180-7, delivering 1,400 hp at takeoff and
1,150 lip at 7,000 feet
Top
Speed:
257 MPH at 5,000 feet
Cruising
Speed: 200
MPH
Landing
Speed:
72 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 20,000
feet
Range:
720 miles with 1,200 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
65 feet
Wing Area: 607 square feet
Length: (Need
to check books)
Height: 14 feet 2 inches
Empty
Weight: 12,760 lbs
Gross Weight: 18,257
lbs
Fuel: 450 to 520 gallons
Armament:
4
x .30 caliber MGs (Wings)
1 x .30 caliber MG (Flexible Nose Gun)
1
x .30 caliber MG (Top Turret)
1 x .30 Caliber MG (Belly Tunnel)
Could
carry:
2 x 600 lb bombs
or
6
x 300 lb bombs
or
90
x 30 lb bombs
Photographs:
Side view of original
nose
Side
view of redesigned nose
XA-22
Martin
Performance:
Engine:
Pratt
& Whitney R-1830-37 providing 1,200 hp at takeoff and 1,100 hp at
5,000 feet
Top
Speed:
280 MPH at 5,000 feet
Cruising
Speed: 260
MPH
Service
Ceiling: 20,000
feet
Range:
750 miles with 1,800 lbs of bombs; 1,200 miles with 1,200 lbs of
bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
64 feet 4 inches
Wing Area: 538.5 square feet
Length:
46 feet 8 inches
Height: 10 feet
Empty Weight:
11,170 lbs
Gross Weight: 16,000
lbs
Maximum Weight: 17,000 lbs
Fuel: 390
to 530 gallons
Armament:
4
x .30 caliber MGs (Wings)
1 x .30 caliber MG (Retractable
Turret)
1 x .30 caliber MG (Ventral gun Tunnel)
Could
carry:
60 x 30 pound bombs or 4 x 300
pound bombs.
Notes: Purchased by USAAC on May 20, 1939. Lost out to the Douglas 7B (A-20)
Photographs: Quarter view of XA-22 on the flightline.
XA-23
Martin
Notes: Planned version with Wright R-3350-11s.
A-24
Dauntless (SBD-3A)
Douglas
Performance:
Engine:
Wright
R-1820-52 providing 1,000 hp takeoff and 800 hp at 16,000 feet
Top
Speed:
250 MPH at 17,200 feet
Cruising
Speed: 173
MPH
Landing
Speed:
75 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 26,000
feet
Range:
950 miles with 1,000 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
41 feet 6 inches
Wing Area: 325 square feet
Length:
32 feet 8 inches
Height: 12 feet 11 inches
Empty
Weight: 6,265 lbs
Gross Weight: 9,200
lbs
Maximum Weight: 10,200 lbs
Fuel: 260
gallons
Armament:
2
x .50 caliber MGs (Nose)
2 x .30 caliber MGs (Flexible Rear Guns)
Could carry up to 1,200 lbs of bombs
Notes: 78 were ordered by the Army in July 1940, and were delivered from June to October of 1941. Differences from the US Navy SBD-3A model were deletion of deck landing gear and a new tailwheel. A further 90 were ordered under a second contract issued April 16, 1942.
A-24A
Dauntless (SBD-4A)
Douglas
Notes: 170 were ordered under a contract issued April 16, 1942.
A-24B
Dauntless (SBD-5)
Douglas
Performance:
Engine:
Wright
R-1820-60 delivering 1,200 hp on takeoff and 900 hp at 14,000
feet
Top
Speed:
254 MPH at 15,000 feet
Cruising
Speed: 180
MPH
Landing
Speed:
75 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 27,000
feet
Range:
950 miles with 1,000 lbs of bombs; 1,250 miles as a scout
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
41 feet 6 inches
Wing Area: 325 square feet
Length:
33 feet
Height: 12 feet 11 inches
Empty Weight:
6,330 lbs
Gross Weight: 9,250
lbs
Maximum Weight: 10,250 lbs
Fuel: 260
gallons
Notes: 615 were delivered between March and December of 1943.
Photographs: Quarter view of an A-24B on the flightline
A-25A
Helldiver (SB2C-1A)
Douglas
Performance:
Engine:
Wright
R-2600-8 providing 1,700 hp takeoff and 1,450 hp at 12,000 feet
Top
Speed:
285 MPH at 12,400 feet; 269 MPH at sea level
Cruising
Speed: 155
MPH
Service
Ceiling: 24,600
feet
Range:
1,130 miles with 1,000 lbs; 1,090 miles with 2,000 lbs; 2,020 miles
in ferry mode
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
49 feet 9 inches
Wing Area: 422 square feet
Length:
36 feet 8 inches
Height: 14 feet 9 inches
Empty
Weight: 10,363 lbs
Gross Weight: 15,076
lbs
Maximum Weight: 17,162 lbs
Fuel: 320
to 566 gallons
Armament:
4
x .50 caliber MGs (Wing)
1 x .50 caliber MG (Flexible Rear Gun)
Could
carry:
up to two 1,000 lb bombs
Notes: Ordered by the Army under a December 31, 1940 contract. First flew September 29, 1942. Before enough were delivered to equip a full Group, the Army's priorities had changed, and the A-25 was relegated to second line duties. 900 were eventually built, of which the final 410 were sent to the US Navy and USMC as SB2C-1A trainers. Changes compared to the Navy version were the deletion of the carrier landing gear along with different wheels. After the tenth production aircraft, wing folding capability was deleted. But most notable was the increase in armor protection from 195 pounds to 669 (!) pounds.
Photographs: Side view of A-25A in flight.
XA-26
Invader
Douglas
XA-26A
Invader
Douglas
A-26B
Invader
Douglas
A-26C
Invader
Douglas
XA-26D
Invader
Douglas
Notes: Prototype for planned production solid nose A-26D version which would have 2,100 hp R-2800-83s. Contracts for 750 A-26Ds were cancelled following V-J day.
XA-26E
Invader
Douglas
Notes: Prototype for planned production glass nose A-26E version which would have 2,100 hp R-2800-83s. Contracts for 2,150 A-26Es were cancelled following V-J day.
XA-26F
Invader
Douglas
Notes: Modified A-26B with 2,100 hp R-2800-83s and a J31 turbojet. Top speed was around 435 MPH at 15,000 feet. Not proceeded with.
Photographs: Side view showing the turbojet installation with the intake replacing the rear gunner's position.
A-26G
Invader
Douglas
Notes: Proposal for post-war production solid-nose Invader with more powerful R-2800s, various detail improvements. Not proceeded with.
A-26H
Invader
Douglas
Notes: Proposal for post-war production glass-nose Invader with more powerful R-2800s, various detail improvements. Not proceeded with.
A-27
North
American
Performance:
Engine:
Wright
R-1820-75 providing 785 hp at takeoff and 745 hp at 9,600 feet
Top
Speed:
250 MPH at 11,500 feet
Cruising
Speed: 220 MPH
Landing
Speed:
70 MPH
Climb
Rate:
Service
Ceiling: 28,000 feet
Range:
575 miles with 400 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
42 feet
Wing
Area:
258 square feet
Length:
29 feet
Height:
12 feet 2 inches
Empty
Weight: 4,520
lbs
Gross
Weight: 6,006 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 6,700
lbs
Fuel:
70 to 120 gallons
Armament:
2
x .30 caliber MGs (Nose)
1 x .30 caliber MG (Flexible Rear Gun)
Could
carry:
up to four 100 lb bombs
Notes: Attack version of the AT-6 Texan ordered by Thailand as the NA-69. They were shipped abroad but were intercepted by the Army and impressed into service in the Phillipines.
A-28
Hudson V
Lockheed
Performance:
Engine:
2 x Pratt &
Whitney R-1830-45 providing 1,050 hp takeoff, KMX) hp
at 11,500'
Top
Speed:
260 MPH at 12,500 feet
Cruising
Speed: 206 MPH
Landing
Speed:
68 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 26,000 feet
Range:
1,500 miles with 1,400 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
Same as Hudson I
Wing
Area:
Same as Hudson I
Length:
Same as Hudson I
Height:
Same as Hudson I
Empty
Weight: 12,810
lbs
Gross
Weight: 18,500 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 20,500
lbs
Fuel:
644 gallons
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
A-28A
Hudson VI
Lockheed
Performance:
Engine:
2 x Pratt &
Whitney R-1830-67 providing 1,200 hp at takeoff
Top
Speed:
261 MPH
Cruising
Speed: 224 MPH
Landing
Speed:
72 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 27,000 feet
Range:
2,160 mile maximum range
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
65 feet 6 inches
Wing
Area:
551 square feet
Length:
44 feet 4 inches
Height:
(check book)
Empty
Weight: 13,195
lbs
Gross
Weight: 18,500 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 22,360
lbs
Fuel:
664 to 1,028 gallons
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
A-29
Hudson IIIA
Lockheed
Performance:
Engine:
2 x Wright R-1820-87
providing 1,200 hp at takeoff and 1,000 hp at 14,200 feet
Top
Speed:
253 MPH at 15,000 feet
Cruising
Speed: 205 MPH
Landing
Speed:
68 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 26,500 feet
Range:
1,550 miles with 1,400 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
65 feet 6 inches
Wing
Area:
551 square feet
Length:
44 feet 4 inches
Height:
11 feet 11 inches
Empty
Weight: 12,825
lbs
Gross
Weight: 20,500 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 21,300
lbs
Fuel:
644 to 1,028 gallons
Armament:
Could carry:
Notes:
A-30A-1 to A-30A-5 Baltimore IV
A-30A-30 Baltimore V
XA-31A
Vengeance (V-88)
Consolidated Vultee
XA-31B
Vengeance
Northrop
Notes: Modified XA-31A; used as test ship for the Pratt & Whitney XR-4360-1 Wasp Major.
XA-31C
Vengeance
Northrop
Notes: Modified A-31A-VN used as flying test bed for R-3350-18 Turbo Cyclone. One converted.
YA-31C
Vengeance
Northrop
Notes: Modified A-31A-VNs used to test Wright R-3350-17s with four bladed props for the B-29 program. Five converted.
A-32
Brewster
Performance:
Engine:
Pratt
& Whitney R-2800-37 providing 2,100 hp at takeoff and 1,600 hp at
13,500 feet
Top
Speed:
311 MPH at 13,200 feet; 279 MPH at sea level
Cruising
Speed: 236
MPH
Landing
Speed:
75 MPH
Climb
Rate:
10,000 feet in 5.7 minutes
Service
Ceiling: 26,000
feet
Range:
500 miles with 3,000 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
45 feet 1 inch
Wing Area: 425 square feet
Length:
40 feet 7 inches
Height: 12 feet 8 inches
Empty
Weight: 11,820 lbs
Gross Weight: 15,512
lbs
Maximum Weight: 19,960 lbs
Fuel:
200-530 gallons
Armament:
4
x 20mm cannons (Wings, 120 rpg) – the second prototype flew
with four 37mm cannons instead.
6 x .50 caliber MGs (Wings; 400
rpg)
Internal
bomb bay capable of accommodating 1,000 lbs
Could
carry:
2 x 1,000 lb bombs on underwing
racks
Notes: Proposed on April 15, 1941; two prototypes ordered on October 31, 1941. Designated A-34 in May 1942 for lend-lease purposes. First flew May 22, 1943. Despite good flying qualities and 650 (!) lbs of armor, the design was not proceeded with beyond a few exports to the Royal Air Force, due to it being slower and shorter ranged than the A-20 Havoc at the time in service.
Photographs:
XA-32 Front Quarter
View
XA-32
Rear Quarter View
XA-32
Lower In-flight View
XA-32A
Side view
A-33
(Douglas 8A-5)
Douglas
Performance:
Engine:
2 x Wright R-1820-87
providing 1,200 hp at takeoff and 1,000 hp at 6,900 feet
Top
Speed:
248 MPH at 15,700 feet
Landing
Speed:
67 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 29,000 feet
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
47 feet 9 inches
Wing
Area:
363 square feet
Length:
32 feet 6 inches
Height:
9 feet 4 inches
Empty
Weight: 5,510
lbs
Gross
Weight: 8,600 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 9,200
lbs
Fuel:
173 to 252 gallons
Armament:
4
x .30 Caliber MGs (Wings)
2 x .50 Caliber MGs (Wings)
1 x .30
Caliber MG (Flexible Nose Gun?)
Could
carry:
Up to 1,800 lbs of bombs
Notes: Douglas 8A-5s to be bought by Peru. US Army acquired them instead.
A-34 Bermuda (SB2A)
A-35A
Vengeance
Northrop
Performance:
Engine:
Wright
R-2600-19 providing 1,600 hp at takeoff and 1,275 hp at 11,500
feet
Top
Speed:
273 MPH at 11,000 feet
Cruising
Speed: 235
MPH
Landing
Speed:
83 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 21,500
feet
Range:
600 miles with 2,000 lbs of bombs; 1,250 miles in ferry mode.
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
As A-31
Wing Area: As A-31
Length: As
A-31
Height: As A-31
Empty Weight: 10,060
lbs
Gross Weight: 13,500
lbs
Maximum Weight: 15,600 lbs
Fuel: 300
gallons
Armament:
TBD
Could
carry:
TBD
Notes:
A-35B
Vengeance IV
Northrop
Performance:
Engine:
Wright
R-2600-13 providing 1,700 hp at takeoff and 1,350 hp at 13,000
feet
Top
Speed:
279 MPH at 13,500 feet
Cruising
Speed: 230
MPH
Landing
Speed:
84 MPH
Service
Ceiling: 22,300
feet
Range:
550 miles with 1,000 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
Same as A-31
Wing Area: Same as A-31
Length: Same
as A-31
Height: Same as A-31
Empty Weight: 10,300
lbs
Gross Weight: 16,400
lbs
Maximum Weight: 17,100 lbs
Fuel: 300
to 625 gallons
Armament:
TBD
Could
carry:
TBD
Notes:
Photographs: 3/4ths Front view
A-36A Mustang
North
American
Performance:
Engine:
Allison
V-1710-87 providing 1,325 hp at 3,000 feet; 1,500 hp at 5,400 feet at
full War Emergency Power
Top
Speed:
310 MPH at xxx ft (check) with two 500 lb bombs, 366 MPH
clean.
Cruising
Speed: 250
MPH
Landing
Speed:
85 MPH
Climb
Rate:
Service
Ceiling: 25,100
feet with bombs, 27,000 feet clean
Range:
550 miles with two 500 lb bombs, 2,300 miles in ferry mode
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
37 feet
Wing Area: 233 square feet
Length: 32
feet, 3 inches
Height: 12 feet, 2 inches
Empty
Weight: 6,610 lbs
Gross
Weight: 8,370 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 10,000 lbs
Fuel:
80 to 105 gallons
Armament:
6
x .50 caliber machine guns (Wings)
Could
carry:
2 x 500 lb bombs under wing racks,
fitted with dive brakes
Notes: Flown by the 27th, 86th and 311th Fighter Bomber Groups during World War II. Erroneously named the “Apache” in many references; this was a post-war invention.
Photographs: 3/4ths Front view
XA-37
Hughes
“Two engines were used on the rather mysterious Hughes XA-37, an aircraft which, as of this writing, has had no published photograph. The project began with a company proposal, on December 5, 1939, for a twin-boom bomber powered by two projected liquid-cooled Wright Tornado engines and built of Duramold, a process involving heat-bonded wood and plastic. Pratt & Whitney R-2800-49 Wasps replaced the Tornado when that engine failed to materialize.
In June 1942 the Hughes D-2A was designated XA-37 by the Air Force and a prototype was built at company expense. Like the all-wood de Havilland Mosquito bomber whose performance it was expected to exceed, the Hughes D-2A had no guns. This two-seater had a 60-feet, 6-inch span, 31,672 pounds of gross weight, and was expected to have a 433-mph top speed and a 1,000-mile range with 2,200 pounds of bombs.
Howard Hughes himself hew the aircraft on June 20, 1943, at an isolated California location, but the aircraft was never tested by the Air Force before it was destroyed in a hangar fire. So successful was the shroud of secrecy imposed by Mr. Hughes that no photographs or descriptions were released to the public, although the design was later developed into the XF-11 reconnaissance plane of 1946. Over 30 years passed before research by Walter Boyne revealed the foregoing information.” -- from American Combat Planes of the 20th Century, Third Edition by Ray Wagner – Placeholder until I can write something original in.
XA-38 Grizzly
Beech
Performance:
Engine:
2
x Wright R-3350-53s, 2,700 hp on take-off up to 2,800 ft
Top
Speed:
376 MPH at 4,800 ft
Cruising
Speed: 344
MPH
Landing
Speed:
103 MPH
Climb
Rate:
check book
Service
Ceiling: 27,800
feet
Range:
1,070 miles with 2,000 lbs of bombs (1,960 miles in ferry mode)
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
67 feet 4 inches
Wing Area: 626 square feet
Length:
51 feet 9 inches
Height: 13 feet 6 inches
Empty
Weight: 22,480 lbs
Gross Weight: 29,900
lbs
Maximum Weight: 32,000 lbs
Fuel: 142.5
to 825 gallons
Armament:
1
x 75mm cannon (Nose, autoloading, with 20 rpg)
2 x .50 caliber MGs
(Nose)
2 x .50 caliber MGs (Dorsal Remote Control Turret)
2 x
.50 caliber MGs (Ventral Remote Controlled Turret)
Could
carry:
2,000 lbs of bombs through external
wing racks
Notes: Began as a two-seat fighter for bomber interception with 75mm gun. Due to existence of XP-71 project, the Beech Model 28 was ordered instead as the XA-38 on September 23, 1942. First flew May 7, 1944. Displayed good flying qualities; but was stillborn due to the B-29 program eating up all available R-3350s.
Photographs: Topish in-flight
view
Lower
in-flight view
XA-39
Kaiser-Fleetwings
Performance:
Engine:
R-2800-27, producing 2,000 hp
Armament:
2
x 37mm cannon (Wings)
4 x .50 caliber MGs (Wings)
Internal
Bomb Bay capable of holding 1,000 lb bomb or 2,000 lb torpedo.
Could carry:
2
x 500 lb bombs on external wing racks
Notes: Did not get past mockup stage.
XA-40
Curtiss
Performance:
Engine:
R-3350-8, producing 2,300 hp
Armament:
Internal
Bomb Bay capable of holding 1,000 lb bomb or 2,000 lb torpedo.
Could carry:
2
x 500 lb bombs on external wing racks
Notes: Did not get past mockup stage. Very similar to the XSB3C-1 for the US Navy.
XA-41
Consolidated-Vultee
(Convair)
Performance:
Engine:
Pratt
& Whitney XR-4360-9: 3,000 hp takeoff, 2,400 hp at 13,500
feet
Top
Speed:
353 MPH at 15,500 feet
Cruising
Speed: 270
MPH
Landing
Speed:
74 MPH
Climb
Rate:
xxxxxx (check book)
Service
Ceiling: 27,000
feet
Range:
950 miles with 3,000 lbs of bombs
Dimensions:
Wingspan:
54 feet
Wing Area: 540 square feet
Length: 48
feet, 8 inches
Height: 14 feet, 6 inches
Empty
Weight: 13,400 lbs
Gross Weight: 18,800 lbs
Maximum
Weight: 23,260 lbs
Fuel: 350 to 445 gallons (1,140
gallons in ferry mode)
Armament:
4
x 37mm cannon (Wings; 50 rpg)
6 x .50 caliber MGs (Wings; 600
rpg)
Internal Bomb Bay capable of carrying 3,000 lbs
Could
carry:
1 x Torpedo
4
x 1,600 lb bombs
Extra fuel tanks.
Notes: Began as the Vultee 90 in September 1942, ordered by the USAF on November 10, 1942, and first flew February 11, 1944. Single plane built.
Photographs: Front 3/4ths view as it
taxis.
Lower
in-flight view
XA-42
Mixmaster
Douglas
Redesignated XB-42.
XA-43
Curtiss
Redesignated XP-87
XA-44
Consolidated-Vultee
(Convair)
Redesignated XB-53.
Photographs: Photograph of model of XA-44
XA-45
Martin
Completed as XA-51, redesignated XB-51.
Photographs: XB-51 taking off.
Bibliography:
American
Combat Planes of the 20th Century,
Third Edition by Ray Wagner
American
Military Aircraft by
Joseph Baugher
