Vultee XP-54: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Prototype fighter aircraft}}

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{{Redirect|Swoose Goose|the example of B-17|The Swoose}}

{{infobox Aircraft

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|name =XP-54

{{Infobox aircraft

|type =Fighter

| name = XP-54

|manufacturer =[[Vultee Aircraft]]

| |image =Image File:Vultee XP-54 Swooseat GooseVultee 11210factory.jpgpng

| caption =

| type = Heavy Fighter

|designer =

| national_origin = [[United States]]

|first flight =[[15 January]] [[1943 in aviation|1943]]

| manufacturer = [[Vultee Aircraft]]

|introduced =

| designer =

|retired =

| first_flight = 15 January 1943

|status =Canceled

| introduction =

|primary user = [[United States Army Air Corps]] (intended)

|more usersretired =

| status = Canceled

|produced =

| primary_user = [[United States Army Air Forces]]

|number built =2

| more_users =

|unit cost =

| produced =

|variants with their own articles =

| number_built = 2

| unit cost =

| variants = [[XP-68 Tornado]]

}}

The '''Vultee XP-54 ''Swoose Goose''''' was a prototype [[heavy fighter]] built by the [[Vultee Aircraft]] Company for the [[United States Army Air Forces]] (USAAF).

The '''XP-54''' was a [[United States|American]] prototype [[fighter aircraft|fighter]] built by the [[Vultee Aircraft]] Company. They had submitted a proposal in response to a [[United States Army Air Corps|U.S. Army Air Corps]] request for an unusual configuration. The Vultee design won the competition, beating the [[Curtiss-Wright|Curtiss]] [[XP-55]] and the [[Northrop Corporation|Northrop]] [[XP-56 Black Bullet]]. Vultee had designated it Model 84, a descendant of their earlier Model 78. After completing preliminary engineering and wind tunnel tests, a contract for a prototype was awarded on [[8 January]] [[1941]]. A second prototype was ordered on [[17 March]] [[1942 in aviation|1942]]. Although it appeared to be a radical design, its actual perfomance was lacklustre and the project was subsequently cancelled.

==Design and development==

Vultee submitted a proposal in response to [[United States Army Air Corps|U.S. Army Air Corps]] request R40C.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davey |first=Guy |date=2023-03-03 |title=XP-55 Ascender: the Back-to-Front Fighter |url=https://planehistoria.com/xp-55-ascender/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=PlaneHistoria |language=en-us}}</ref> The Vultee design won the competition, beating the [[Curtiss-Wright|Curtiss]] [[Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender|XP-55 Ascender]] and the [[Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet]]. Vultee designated it Model 84, a descendant of their earlier Model 78. After completing preliminary engineering and wind tunnel tests, a contract for a prototype was awarded on 8 January 1941. A second prototype was ordered on 17 March 1942. Although it appeared to be a radical design, performance was lackluster, and the project was canceled due to budget overruns and extreme delays.

The XP-54 was designed with a [[pusher configuration|pusher]] [[aircraft engines|engine]] in the aft part of the fuselage. The tail was mounted rearward between two mid-wing booms, with the 12-ft pusher propeller between them. The design included a "ducted wing section" developed by the [[National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics|N.A.C.A]] that enabled installation of cooling radiators and intercoolers in the wing. The [[Pratt & Whitney]] X-1800 engine was initially proposed as the powerplant but after its development was discontinued, the liquid-cooled [[Lycoming]] [[XH-2470]] was substituted.

The XP-54 was designed with a [[pusher configuration|pusher]] [[aircraft engines|engine]] in the aft part of the fuselage. The tail was mounted rearward between two mid-wing booms, with the twelve-foot propeller between them. The design included a "ducted wing section" developed by the [[National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics|NACA]] to enable installation of cooling radiators and [[intercooler]]s in the [[inverted gull wing]]. The [[Pratt & Whitney X-1800]] and [[Wright R-2160 Tornado]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Digital Reel Archive REEL A2060 Pg. 1068 |url=https://www.generalstaff.org/DRA/DRA.htm |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=www.generalstaff.org}}</ref> engines were proposed as possible powerplants, but after the discontinuation of the [[Pratt & Whitney X-1800]] and being denied access to the [[Wright R-2160 Tornado]]<ref name=":0" /> the liquid-cooled [[Lycoming XH-2470]] was substituted.

In September [[1941 in aviation|1941]], the XP-54 mission was changed from low altitude to high altitude [[interceptor aircraft|interception]]. Consequently, a turbo-supercharger and heavier armor had to be added, and the estimated empty weight increased from 11,500 to 18,000 lb (5,200 to 8,200 kg).

In September [[1941 in aviation|1941]], the XP-54s mission was changed from low-altitude to high-altitude [[interceptor aircraft|interception]]. Consequently, twin Wright B [[Turbocharger|turbo-superchargers]]<ref name=":0" /> and heavier armor was added, and empty weight increased to 18,000&nbsp;lb (5,200 to 8,200&nbsp;kg).

The XP-54 was unique in numerous ways. The pressurized cockpit required a complex entry system; a pilot’s seat acted as an elevator for cockpit access from the ground. The pilot lowered the seat electrically, sat in it, and raised it into the cockpit. Bail-out procedure was complicated by the pressurization system and necessitated a downward ejection of the pilot and seat in order to clear the propeller arc. <ref> Thompson 1992, p. 118. </ref>Also, the nose section could pivot through the vertical, three degrees up and six degrees down. In the nose, two 37 mm T-9 cannon were in rigid mounts while two .50 cal machine guns were in movable mounts. Movement of the nose and machine guns was controlled by a special compensating gun [[sight (device)|sight]]. Thus, the cannon trajectory could be elevated without altering the flight attitude of the airplane. The large nose section gave rise to its whimsical nickname, the "Swoose Goose."

[[File:XP54 Swoose Goose.jpg|thumb|The ''Swoose Goose'']]

==Testing==

Flight tests of the first prototype, ''41-1210'', began on [[15 January]] [[1943 in aviation|1943]]. Initial trials showed performance substantially below guarantees. At the same time, development of the XH-2470 engine was discontinued and, although it appeared possible to substitute the [[Allison Engine Company|Allison]] [[Allison V-3420|3420]] engine without substantial airframe changes, the projected delay and costs resulted in a decision not to consider production buys.

The XP-54 was unique in numerous ways. The pressurized cockpit required a complex entry system: the pilot's seat acted as an elevator for cockpit access from the ground. The pilot lowered the seat electrically, sat in it, and raised it into the cockpit. Bail-out procedure was complicated by the pressurization system and pusher configuration, necessitating a downward ejection of the pilot and seat to clear the propeller arc.<ref>Thompson 1992, p. 118.</ref> Also, the nose section could pivot through the vertical, three degrees up and six degrees down. In the nose, two [[M4 autocannon|37&nbsp;mm M4 T-12/T-13 cannons]] were in rigid mounts while two [[M2 Browning|.50 cal machine guns]] were in movable mounts. Movement of the nose and machine guns was controlled by a special compensating [[sight (device)|gun sight]]. Thus, the cannon trajectory could be elevated without altering the flight attitude of the airplane. The large nose section gave rise to its whimsical nickname, the '''Swoose Goose''', inspired by a song about Alexander who was half-swan and half-goose: "Alexander was a swoose." – a name shared with [[The Swoose|the oldest surviving B-17]].

The prototypes continued to be used in an experimental program until problems with the Lycoming engines and lack of spare parts caused termination. The second prototype, ''42-1211'' equipped with an experimental GE supercharger, only made one flight before it was relegated to a "parts plane" in order to keep the first prototype in the air <ref> Thompson 1992, p. 114. </ref>.

==Operational history==

==Specifications (XP-54)==

Flight tests of the first prototype, ''41-1210'', began on 15 January 1943. Trials showed the XP-54 had great handling although, the performance was found to be substantially below guarantees. Simultaneously, development of the XH-2470 engine was discontinued. Although the [[Allison V-3420]] engine could be substituted, that required substantial airframe changes. Projected delays and mounting costs resulted in the decision to not consider purchasing of production aircraft.

{{aircraft specifications|

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<!-- please answer the following questions -->

|plane or copter?=plane

|jet or prop?=prop

<!-- Now, fill out the specs. Please include units where appropriate (main comes first, alt in parentheses). If an item doesn't apply, like capacity, leave it blank. For additional lines, end your alt units with )</li> and start a new, fully-formatted line with <li> -->

|crew=one, pilot

|length main=54 ft 9 in

|length alt=16.69 m

|span main= 53 ft 10 in

|span alt= 16.41 m

|height main=14 ft 6 in

|height alt=4.42 m

|area main=456 ft²

|area alt=42.4 m²

|empty weight main=15,262 lb

|empty weight alt=6,923 kg

|loaded weight main=18,233 lb

|loaded weight alt=8,270 kg

|max takeoff weight main=19,337 lb

|max takeoff weight alt=8,771 kg

|engine (prop)=[[Lycoming]] [[XH-2470]]-1

|type of prop= liquid-cooled piston engine

|number of props=1

|thrust main=2,300 shp

|thrust alt=1,715 kW

|power main=2,300 shp

|power alt=1,715 kW each

The prototypes continued to be used in an experimental program until problems with the Lycoming engines and lack of spare parts caused termination. The second prototype, ''42-108994'' (but mistakenly painted as ''42-1211'') had the twin Wright [[Turbocharger|turbo-supercharger]] setup replaced with a single experimental GE XCM [[Turbocharger|turbo-supercharger]],<ref name=":0" /> this airframe made ten flights before it was relegated to a "parts plane" to keep the first prototype in the air.<ref>Thompson 1992, p. 114.</ref>

|max speed main=381 mph at 28,500 ft

|max speed alt=613 km/h at 8,700 m

|range main=mi

|range alt=km

|ceiling main=37,000 ft

|ceiling alt=11,30 m

|climb rate main=ft/min

|climb rate alt= m/min

|loading main=40 lb/ft²

|loading alt=196 kg/m²

|power/mass main=0.13 hp/lb

|power/mass alt=0.20 kW/kg

==Specifications (XP-54)==

|armament=

[[File:Vultee XP-54.png|thumb|]]

* 2x [[37 mm caliber|37 mm]] T-12/T-13 cannons

{{Aircraft specs

* 2x .50 cal M2 machine guns

| prime units? = imp

| ref = Green and Swanborough 1978, p. 84.

| crew = one, pilot

| length ft = 54

| length in = 9

| length m = 16.69

| span ft = 53

| span in = 10

| span m = 16.41

| height ft = 14

| height in = 6

| height m = 4.42

| wing area sqft = 456

| wing area sqm = 42.4

| empty weight lb = 15,262

| empty weight kg = 6,923

| gross weight lb = 18,233

| gross weight kg = 8,270

| max takeoff weight lb = 19,337

| max takeoff weight kg = 8,771

| eng1 name = [[Lycoming H-2470|Lycoming XH-2470-1]]

| eng1 type = liquid-cooled piston engine

| eng1 number = 1

| eng1 shp = 2,300

| eng1 kw = 1,715

| max speed mph = 381

| max speed kmh = 613

| max speed note = at 28,500 ft (8,700 m)

| range miles = 500

| range km = 805

| ceiling ft = 37,000

| ceiling m = 11,300

| climb rate ftmin = 2,300

| climb rate ms = 11.7

| wing loading lb/sqft = 40

| wing loading kg/m2 = 196

| power/mass = 0.13 hp/lb (0.20 kW/kg)

| armament = * 2 × [[M4 cannon|37 mm T-12/T-13 cannon]] 60 rpg

* 2 × [[.50 BMG|.50 cal]] [[M2 Browning machine gun]]s 500 rpg

}}

==ReferencesSee also==

{{aircontent

{{reflist}}

* Green, William. ''War Planes of the Second World War - Fighters, Vol 4''. London: MacDonald, 1961.

* Thompson, Jonathan. ''Vultee Aircraft 1932-1947''. Santa Ana, CA; Narkiewicz/Thompson, 1992. ISBN 0-913322-02-4.

==External links==

*[http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/URG/xp54.html USAAF Resource Center - Vultee XP-54]

==Related content==

{{aircontent|

|related=

* [[Curtiss]]Vultee [[XP-5568 AscenderTornado]] &mdash;

[[Northrop]] [[XP-56 Black Bullet]] &mdash;

[[XP-68 Tornado]]

|similar aircraft=<!-- similar or comparable aircraft -->

* [[Bell XP-52]]

* [[Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender]]

|sequence=

* [[Mansyū Ki-98]]

* [[Mitsubishi J4M]]

*[[P-51 Mustang|P-51]] - [[Bell XP-52|XP-52]] - [[Curtiss YP-60|XP-53]] - '''XP-54''' - [[XP-55 Ascender|XP-55]] - [[XP-56 Black Bullet|XP-56]] - [[Tucker XP-57|XP-57]]

* [[Northrop XP-56 Black Bullet]]

* [[SAAB 21]]

|lists=<!-- related lists -->

*[[List of aircraft of World War II]]

|see also=<!-- other relevant information -->

* [[Hyper engine]]

}}

==Notes==

[[Category:Cancelled aircraft projects]]

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Pusher aircraft]]

[[Category:U.S. fighter aircraft 1940-1949|P-54]]

==Bibliography==

* Balzer, Gerald H. ''American Secret Pusher Fighters of World War II: XP-54, XP-55, and XP-56''. North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2008. {{ISBN|1-58007-125-2}}.

* Green, William and Gordon Swanborough. ''WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: US Army Air Force Fighters, Part 2''. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers Ltd., 1978. {{ISBN|0-354-01072-7}}.

* Jenkins, Dennis R. and Tony R. Landis. ''Experimental & Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters.'' North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2008. {{ISBN|978-1-58007-111-6}}.

* Thompson, Jonathan. ''Vultee Aircraft 1932–1947''. Santa Ana, CA: Narkiewicz/Thompson, 1992. {{ISBN|0-913322-02-4}}.

==External links==

{{commons category|Vultee XP-54}}

* [http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/URG/xp54.html USAAF Resource Center – Vultee XP-54]

{{Vultee aircraft}}

{{USAF fighters}}

[[deCategory:Vultee aircraft|XP-54]]

[[Category:1940s United States fighter aircraft|Vultee P-54]]

[[ja:XP-54 (航空機)]]

[[Category:Twin-boom aircraft]]

[[pl:Vultee XP-54 Swoose Goose]]

[[Category:Inverted gull-wing aircraft]]

[[Category:Single-engined pusher aircraft]]

[[Category:Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United States]]

[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1943]]