AFAMF Chu X-PO

AFAMF Chu X-PO Story

The Second Sino-Japanese War started in July 1937 and finally ended in September 1945, lasting more than eight years. It was an offshoot of World War II (1939-1945) that officially began with, for example, the German invasion of Poland in September 1939.

Yet the Asia-centric conflict was as important as any conflict during World War I. Period - It sets the foundation for the region for the foreseeable future. Nazi Germany supported China's efforts until 1938, while the Soviet Union, Britain and the United States received long-term support.

By 1941, the situation in China was looking rather bleak as the mighty Japanese army conquered all of Southeast Asia and the Pacific in the process of expanding imperial territory. Such was the desperation of the Chinese, and the authorities began to look for local measures to avoid total eradication.

So Major General Zhu Jiaren of the Chinese Air Force led a team to build a Chinese indigenous monoplane fighter known as the Chu "X-PO" (X-PO = "Yen Chui Ling How").

Using their experience in local manufacturing, maintenance and operation of the Curtiss Eagle 75 fighter, engineers developed a like-minded radial power development, thanks in large part to the American design. Inside, the structure is a welded steel pipe and plywood skin - the latter a requirement due to wartime metal shortages in China. The engine was an American Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S1C3-G "Twin Wasp", radially 1,200 hp driving a three-bladed propeller on the nose. The fuselage houses a pilot under a light-frame canopy near the midship. The main wing aircraft are traditionally mounted low and advanced amidships.

The undercarriage with a "tail" arrangement is retractable. In general, the fighter products of this period are very traditional.

The proposed weapon is 2 or 4 20mm Hispano-Suiza guns mounted on underwing fairings. A bomb rack is located on the centerline of the fuselage, enabling the aircraft to play the role of a fighter-bomber, carrying conventionally dropped bombs and even torpedoes if necessary.

Serial production was arranged in Kunming, and the prototype was finally completed and made its first flight in 1943. However, the maiden flight proved to be the plane's last as the system was introduced too quickly and crashed - it was described as a complete loss of the program. Despite this blunder, China's efforts were salvaged as the United States entered the war in December 1941.

Over time, surplus fighters would come to China until it became clear that bringing indigenous fighter designs into the war was no longer necessary.

When complete, the Chu X-PO has a top speed of 313 mph, a cruising speed of 280 mph, a range of up to 870 miles, and a service ceiling of nearly 32,315 feet.

Specification

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