| P-37 | |
|---|---|
 Curtiss YP-37 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Fighter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss-Wright Corporation |
| Status | Canceled |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Corps |
| Number built | 14 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1939 (YP-37) |
| First flight | April 1937 (XP-37) |
| Developed from | Curtiss P-36 Hawk |
TheCurtiss YP-37 was an Americanfighter aircraft developed byCurtiss-Wright in the late 1930s for theUnited States Army Air Corps (USAAC). A derivative of theCurtiss P-36 Hawk, the YP-37 was designed to improve performance by replacing the P-36's radial engine with a turbo-supercharged, liquid-cooledAllison V-1710 inline engine, resulting in a lengthened fuselage and a rearward-shifted cockpit. Although it demonstrated promising speed, the aircraft suffered from unreliable turbo-superchargers and poor visibility, leading to its cancellation after 14 units were built. The project was abandoned in favor of the more practicalCurtiss P-40 Warhawk.
In early 1937, recognizing theP-36 Hawk's inferiority to emerging European fighters like theSupermarine Spitfire andMesserschmitt Bf 109, the USAAC sought to enhance its fighter capabilities. Curtiss was tasked with adapting a P-36 airframe to use a turbo-superchargedAllison V-1710-11 engine, producing 1,150 hp (860 kW).[1] The prototype Hawk was fitted with a turbo-supercharged 1,150 hp (860 kW) Allison V-1710-11 as theXP-37 (company designation Model 75I). The cockpit was moved back towards the tail to make room for the massive turbo-superchargers, and the engine was cooled by two radiators on either side of the nose. It was armed with one 0.30 in (7.62 mm)M1919 Browning machine gun and one 0.50 in (12.70 mm)M2 Browning machine gun in the nose. The XP-37 first flew in April 1937, achieving a top speed of 340 mph (547 km/h), but its turbo-supercharger was prone to failure, and visibility was severely limited.[2]
Intrigued by the speed potential, the USAAC ordered 13 service-testYP-37 aircraft in 1938 for $531,305.12.[3] These featured an improved V-1710-21 engine and a further extended nose to adjust balance. First flown in June 1939, the YP-37 retained the same armament but failed to resolve the reliability and visibility issues. By 1940, the USAAC canceled the project, shifting focus to theP-40 Warhawk, which used a simpler Allison engine configuration.[1]
Data from Curtiss aircraft 1907–1947,[1] Baugher: Curtiss XP-37[2]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Related development
