1/72 Curtiss XP-60C / XP-60E

Anigrand Craftswork - 1/72 Curtiss XP-60C / XP-60E
In 1940, Curtiss proposed a initial design for the eventual replacement for the Curtiss P-40 to the USAAF. It was inverted the continental engine to the Curtiss P-40 fuselage and tail assembly. This proposal was accepted and a contract for two prototypes, XP-53 was issued. At the end of 1940, Usaaf modified order to install the XP-53 with British Merlin engine. The prototype was redesignated XP-60. Due to the delivery delay of the Merlin engine, the Allison engine was considered and the airplane was redesigned XP-60. In 1942, the order was changed again to produce one XP-60B with Wright engine and one XP-60C with Chrysler engine. For performance improvement, Curtiss changed to install the Pratt & Whitney radial engine with contra-rotating propeller in the XP-60C. In January 1943, the XP-60C made its first flight, and was generally satisfactory. It led to the XP-60B installing with the same Pratt & Whitney engine but changed with the four-bladed propeller. It was redesignated XP-60E. The XP-60E made its first flight in May 1943 but performed poorly. In May 1944, the Army discontinued all the further works on the project as the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt and the North-American P-51 satisfied all the Army's needs at the time.