Brewster XA-32
XA-32 | |
---|---|
Brewster XA-32 during testing c. 1943 (U.S. Air Force photo) | |
Role | Single seat attack aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Brewster Aeronautical Corporation |
First flight | 22 May 1943 |
Retired | 1944 |
Status | Experimental |
Primary user | United States Army Air Force (intended)
|
Number built | 2 |
The Brewster XA-32 was an American attack aircraft, a mid-wing type with an internal bomb bay. The prototype had the R-2800 engine, but it could take the intended R-4360 powerplant. After a dismal set of test results, the XA-32 did not enter production.
Design and development
Initially designed in 1941, the XA-32 was grossly overweight, at almost 20,000 lb (9,100 kg), similar to the
Testing
The first flight of the XA-32 prototype was not until May 22, 1943, two years after the design was proposed; and almost every aspect of performance fell short of the specifications. Devoid of weapons load, the XA-32 could only reach 279 mph (242 kn; 449 km/h) and although handling was adequate, as soon as armament and external stores were added, the performance dropped drastically and more seriously, the disturbed airflow "set up severe
Only two examples were built, the XA-32 (S/N 42-13568) and XA-32A ( S/N 42-13569), both of which were scrapped at the conclusion of flight testing.
Specifications (XA-32)
Data from [2]
General characteristics
- Crew: one
- Length: 40 ft 7 in (12.37 m)
- Wingspan: 45 ft 1 in (13.74 m)
- Height: 11 ft 3 in (3.44 m)
- Gross weight: 13,500 lb (6,123 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-37 Double Wasp radial engine, 2,100 hp (1,600 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 311 mph (501 km/h, 270 kn)
- Cruise speed: 196 mph (315 km/h, 170 kn)
- Combat range: 500 mi (800 km, 430 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 26,000 ft (7,900 m)
Armament
- Guns: 8 × .50-cal. machine guns or 4 x 37mm gun [3]
- Bombs: 1,000 pounds (450 kg) in an internal fuselage bomb bay and 2,000 pounds (910 kg) underwing
References
Notes
- ^ McCullough 1995, p. 18.
- ^ "Factsheets: XA-32." Archived September 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine National Museum of the United States Air Force, 31 December 2008. Retrieved: 14 August 2011.
- ^ aéro-journal N°23
Bibliography
- McCullough, Anson. "Grind 'Em Out Ground Attack: The Search for the Elusive Fighter Bomber." Wings, Vol. 25, No. 4, August 1995.