Republic XP-69

The Republic XP-69 was an American fighter aircraft proposed by Republic Aviation in response to a requirement by the USAAC for a high speed fighter. Manufacturers were encouraged to consider unorthodox designs; although the design was ordered as a prototype it was cancelled because of delays with the engine that was to power it.

XP-69
XP-69 model during wind tunnel testing
Role Fighter
Manufacturer Republic Aviation
Designer Alexander Kartveli
Status Canceled
Primary user United States Army Air Forces (intended)
Number built 1 (incomplete)

Development

The United States Army Air Corps began the R40-C fighter competition in February 1940. The competition encouraged manufacturers to propose unorthodox high-speed fighter aircraft that met the requirements of Type Specification XC-622.[1] The specification called for a single-engined high-performance fighter aircraft, with a maximum speed between 425 and 525 mph (684 and 845 km/h), armed with both machine guns and cannons, and be capable of landing on a 3,000 ft (910 m) long grass runway.[2]

Republic was one of six companies selected for the competition, and one of the aircraft proposed to the USAAC by Republic was the AP-12 Rocket. As proposed, the AP-12 was to be powered by a 2,350 hp Wright R-2160 Tornado 42-cylinder liquid-cooled radial engine mounted in the mid-section of the aircraft's streamlined, cigar-shaped fuselage, behind the cockpit, which drove a pair of three-bladed contra-rotating propellers.[1] It was to be armed with nose-mounted four machine guns firing through the propeller arc, and a single 20 mm cannon firing through the propeller hub.[1] The AP-12 placed 13th out of 26 contestants, forcing Republic to go back to the drawing board to improve its proposal.[1]

In July 1941, Republic submitted an improved design, the AP-18. The AP-18 had little in common with the AP-12. It retained the original aircraft's R-2160 engine, which was now mounted in the nose of a completely new small-cross section airframe.[3] The large radiator was to be mounted under the fuselage. The pressurized cockpit was to feature a bubble canopy, and an armament of four .50 in machine guns and two 37 mm cannons mounted in a laminar flow wing was planned.[3]

In December 1941, the United States Army Air Forces (successor to the USAAC) ordered two prototypes of the AP-18 under the designation XP-69.[1] A mockup was built and was inspected by the USAAF in June 1942.[3] Construction of the first prototype began in November of that year.[1] However, due to development troubles and delays with the R-2160 engine, the XP-69 project was canceled in favor of a parallel development, the Republic XP-72, on May 11, 1943.[3]

Specifications (XP-69 as planned)

Data from Baugher[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m)
  • Wingspan: 51 ft 8 in (15.75 m)
  • Height: 17 ft (5.2 m)
  • Wing area: 505 sq ft (46.9 m2)
  • Empty weight: 15,595 lb (7,074 kg)
  • Gross weight: 18,655 lb (8,462 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 26,164 lb (11,868 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-2160 Tornado 42-cylinder liquid-cooled radial engine, 2,350 hp (1,750 kW)
  • Propellers: 6-bladed contra-rotating propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 450 mph (720 km/h, 390 kn)
  • Range: 1,800 mi (2,900 km, 1,600 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 48,900 ft (14,900 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,750 ft/min (8.9 m/s)

Armament

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

Related lists

References
  1. Pearce, William (2016-05-07). "Republic XP-69 Fighter". Old Machine Press. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
  2. Chong, Anthony (2016-06-15). Flying Wings & Radical Things: Northrop's Secret Aerospace Projects & Concepts 1939-1994. Specialty Press. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-58007-229-8.
  3. Baugher, Joe (August 7, 2011). "Republic XP-69". www.joebaugher.com. Retrieved 2020-06-04.
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