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Vultee XP-68 Tornado 
Summary
The Vultee XP-68 Tornado was proposed American high-altitude interceptor aircraft. It was based on the experimental XP-54 Swoose Goose and powered by the Wright R-2160 Tornado 42-cylinder radial engine driving a set of contra-rotating propellers in a twin-boom pusher configuration. When the engine was cancelled on 22 November 1941, the XP-68 was also cancelled.
| XP-68 Tornado | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Fighter |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Vultee Aircraft |
| First flight | n/a |
| Status | Canceled project |
| Number built | None |
SpecificationsEdit
Data from Fighters of the United States Air Force: From World War I Pursuit to the F-117[1]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 51 ft 6 in (15.70 m)
- Wingspan: 51 ft 8 in (15.75 m)
- Height: 17 ft 3 in (5.26 m)
- Wing area: 505 sq ft (46.9 m2)
- Empty weight: 15,595 lb (7,074 kg)
- Gross weight: 26,164 lb (11,868 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-2160 42 cylinder 6 row air-cooled radial engine, 2,500 hp (1,900 kW)
- Propellers: contrarotating
Performance
- Maximum speed: 450 mph (720 km/h, 390 kn) estimated at 35,000 ft (11,000 m)
- Range: 1,800 mi (2,900 km, 1,600 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 48,900 ft (14,900 m) (service)
- Rate of climb: 3,000 ft/min (15 m/s) initial
- Time to altitude: 20 minutes to 35,000 ft (11,000 m) estimated
Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x 37 mm (1.5 in) cannon
- 4 x .5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns
See alsoEdit
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
ReferencesEdit
CitationsEdit
- ^ Dorr, 1990, p.121
BibliographyEdit
- Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-21-0 (Hardcover), ISBN 0-904597-22-9 (Softcover).
- Angelucci, Enzo and Peter Bowers. The American Fighter, The Definite Guide to American Fighter Aircraft from 1917 to the Present. New York: Orion Books, 1987. ISBN 0-517-56588-9.
- Dorr, Robert F.; Donald, David (1990). Fighters of the United States Air Force: From World War I Pursuit to the F-117. London, UK: Temple Press/Aerospace. p. 121. ISBN 978-0600550945.
- Thompson, Jonathan. Vultee Aircraft 1932–1947. Santa Ana, CA; Narkiewicz/Thompson, 1992. ISBN 0-913322-02-4.
- Wagner, Ray. American Combat Planes of the 20th Century: A Comprehensive Reference. Reno, Nevada: Jack Bacon & Co, 2004. ISBN 0-930083-17-2.
External linksEdit
- Vultee XP-68 Fact Sheet at the National Museum of the USAF
- Vultee XP-68