Curtiss XBTC (Model 96)

1945 COLD WAR WORLD WAR 2 X-PLANE

• 1 History of Curtiss XBTC (Type 96)
• 2 Curtiss XBTC (Type 96) Specification
  • 2.1 Base
  • 2.2 Manufacturer
  • 2.3 Carrier
  • 2.4 Roles
  • 2.5 Notable features
  • 2.6 Dimensions and Weight
  • 2.7 MAINPLANE STRUCTURE
  • 2.8 Performance and Performance
  • 2.9 Weapons

History of Curtiss XBTC (Type 96)

By 1942, the world was at war with the United States committed to fighting in Africa, Europe and the Pacific. The Pacific theater requires significant investment in surface and waterborne solutions, and for the attack role, torpedo and dive bombers are king. Over the past decade, the United States Navy (USN) has changed policy and embraced designs covering torpedoes and bombing separately.

During the war, however, it became clear that a combined design capable of both roles would be tactically more capable against the vaunted naval fleet of the Japanese Empire.

On February 9, 1942, the U.S. Navy sought a new combination design and commissioned Curtiss Aerospace & Motors to meet this requirement.

The engine of choice became the air-cooled Wright R-3350 Radial, driving a three-blade propeller unit in the nose, which as technology and theory of war advanced provided simplification, reducing the usual two to three crew members to just one. An internal bomb bay is required to cover the bomb roll, while a single torpedo (Mk 13-2 series) can be placed externally along the fuselage ventline. Two external hardpoints can also be used to drop bombs. The new aircraft had to be constructed to withstand the rigors and stresses associated with bombing operations. Standard fixed armament with 4 x 20mm automatic cannons for ground fire and air-to-air operations the operator may encounter.

To increase survivability, self-sealing fuel tanks must be used.

Performance specs include best-in-class range of 1,000 miles with a full load. With an optional fuel tank, the range can be increased to 1,500 miles.

Curtiss engineers developed two designs, the first using a conventional arrangement using the R-3350 2,300 hp radially mated to a single three-blade propeller unit in the nose, and the other using the experimental Pratt & Whitney (PW). The XR-4360-14 "Wasp Major" 3,000hp water jet supercharged radially drives a pair of three-bladed propellers in a counter-rotating arrangement.

The result was the company's "Type 96" project.

USN authorities liked what they saw in promising attackers and commissioned both, each with their own engine installation, under the experimental names "XBTC-1" (Wright Engine) and "XBTC" -2" (Pratt & Whitney engine). The latter differs not only in engine and propeller mounts, but also in size, being larger than its sister and having either Fowler flaps (A-wings) or twin in the included wings Flap Arrangement (Type B Wing).

Submersible brakes and edge slats are also standard.

Notably, this marriage between Curtis and the U.S. Navy marks the U.S. Navys first large-scale commitment to attempt to cater to a multi-role strike platform, an adventure typically reserved for the fighter jet type.

The company initially quickly executed the agreement and delivered the model by the end of 1942. However, nothing went right because Curtis was deeply involved in the U.S. war effort, coupled with the Army's need for a Pratt & Whitney radial line, the program stalled until 1943, when the XBTC-1 program was killed by the Navy before the end of the year. decision.

The service has indeed progressed with XBTC-2, and there are two prototypes in contract.

Curtiss XBTC (Type 96) Specification

Base

Year of Service

1945

Origins

United States

Status

Cancel

Development ended.

Crew

1

Production

2

Manufacturer

Curtiss Airplane and Motor Company - USA

Carrier

United States (removed)

Roles

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

Special Mission: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)

Can search, track and attack enemy underwater elements using special equipment and weapons on board.

Special Mission: Ship Defense

Equipped to find, track and engage enemy surface elements through visual acquisition, radar support, and shipborne weapons.

nautical/navy

Water mobility capability for a variety of land-based or ship-based maritime missions, supported by Allied Naval Surface Forces.

X-Plane (development, prototyping, tech demos)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Notable features

Folding wings

The main aircraft is designed to be foldable, increasing storage capacity on land and at sea.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

inner bay

Hull volume includes space for internal weapons or special mission equipment.

Extended range performance

Ability to travel long distances using on-board fuel supplies.

Seaport

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Rescue process

A manual process to allow the pilot and/or crew to exit in the event of an onboard emergency.

Enclosed crew room

There are partially or fully enclosed crew work areas.

Scalable

Has retractable/retractable landing gear to maintain aerodynamic efficiency.

torpedo weapons

Ability to launch/release torpedoes against maritime threats/targets.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

39. 0 feet

(11.90m)

Width/span

50. 0 feet

(15.25m)

Height

13. 0 feet

(3.95m)

Cured weight

13,415 lbs

(6,085 kg)

MTOW

21,660 lbs

(9,825 kg)

Wgt Difference

+8,245 lbs

(+3,740 kg)

MAINPLANE STRUCTURE

wing/low/straight

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

install low

The main aircraft is mounted low on the side of the fuselage.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

(struct descriptor reference production variant Curtiss XBTC-2)

Performance and Performance

Installed:

1 x Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major 3,000 hp Radial Piston Air-Cooled Engine 2c Three-Blade Propeller Unit, Counter Rotating Arrangement.

Maximum speed

376 km/h

(605 km/h | 327 knots)

Cruising speed

190 km/h

(305 km/h | 165 knots)

Maximum speed difference

+186 km/h

(+300 km/h | 162 kn)

Maximum

26,247 feet

(8,000 m | 5 km)

Area

1,836 km

(2,955 km | 5,473 nautical miles)

rate of climb

2,250 ft/min

(686 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Hypersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Weapons

Recommended: 4 x 20mm autocannon mounted on the wings (inside the wing hinges). Up to 2,000 lb conventionally dropped bombs (2 x 1,000 lb bombs) can be dropped in the internal bomb bay or a torpedo placed under the hull. Optional provisions for external bomb racks and jettisonable fuel tanks.