1/72 Curtiss XP-62

Anigrand Craftswork - 1/72 Curtiss XP-62. In January 1941, the Usaac issued a requirement for a new heavily-armed, high-performance interceptor fighter. The fighter was to be powered by the under developed 2300 hp Wright 'Duplex Cyclone' twin-row radial engine. This was the heaviest engine to be mounted in a fighter, and was the same engine to power the Boeing B-29A Superfortress bomber. Built-in armament was comprised no less than eight 20-mm cannon. Curtiss proposal was submitted to the Army in April 1941. In June, the Army ordered two prototypes under the designation XP-62. The Usaac placed an order for 100 P-62s in May 1942, but then cancelled that order in July. The cancellation was issued because the P-62 production would have interfered with the Curtiss licensed production of essential Republic P-47D Thunderbolt. Even though the Army really had no need for a high performance interceptor, the XP-62 project was continues. The XP-62 had its first flight in July 1943. Flight testing proceeded slowly due to the XP-62's low priority, and in the autumn of 1943 it was scrapped.