XP-42

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Curtiss XP-42 Ohio 1939

Curtiss (Model 75S) XP-42 Ohio 1939

Curtiss XP-42 38-4 with short nose

XP-42 38-4 during test by NACA

Curtiss XP-42 38-4 NACA long nose

XP-42 38-4 NACA long nose

XP-42 38-4 st Bolling Field 1940

XP-42 38-4 painted in washable camo used in war games

Curtiss (Model 75S) XP-42 in flight

XP-42 in flight

Curtiss XP-42 left

XP-42 left side view

Curtiss XP-42 front view

XP-42 on the ground

Curtiss XP-42 over Ohio 1939

XP-42 over Ohio 1939

Curtiss XP-42 rear

XP-42 rear view

XP-42 engine

XP-42 warming up its engine

To improve the aerodynamics of the air-cooled piston engines, the fourth production P-36A (serial number 38-004) was equipped with the long streamlined fairing of a liquid-cooled engine. Twelve different designs were tested with little success - although the aircraft was faster than a regular P-36A, the problems with cooling the engine could not be solved. Since the new P-40 was faster, the project was suspended. At the end of its service time the only XP-42 was given a fully movable tailplane to study this configuration of the elevator.

Source: Peter M. Bowers: Forgotten Fighters and Experimental Aircraft U.S. Army 1918-1941 2