| In 1931, the third production P-6 (which had been converted
to P-6A standard) was withdrawn from service
and returned to Curtiss for extensive modification as
the XP-22. Retaining the V-1570-23 engine, the XP-22
was cleaned up aerodynamically and featured cantilever
main undercarriage legs and wheel spats, plus a
redesigned engine cowling with, initially, an annular
radiator. The radiator was subsequently returned to a
position beneath the rear of the engine. On 30 June
1931, the XP-22 demonstrated a level speed of
326km/h and on 10 July a USAAC contract
was placed for 45 Y1P-22s. These were subsequently
redesignated as P-6Cs, but prior to the start of production
deliveries the designation was changed once more
to P-6E. By this time, the engine of the XP-22, complete
with cowling and three-blade propeller, plus the main
undercarriage members, had been grafted on to the
YP-20, which had thus become the XP-6E, while the
XP-22 was returned to P-6A configuration.
WEIGHTS |
Take-off weight | 1521 kg | 3353 lb |
Empty weight | 1178 kg | 2597 lb |
DIMENSIONS |
Wingspan | 9.60 m | 32 ft 6 in |
Length | 7.19 m | 24 ft 7 in |
Height | 2.69 m | 9 ft 10 in |
Wing area | 23.41 m2 | 251.98 sq ft |
PERFORMANCE |
Max. speed | 325 km/h | 202 mph |
Dick Sager, e-mail, 13.12.2011 18:01 Possibly the best looking biplane ever produced. reply |
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