Stearman XA-21

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XA-21

Stearman XA-21 (Streamlined Cockpit)
Type Ground attack
Manufacturer Stearman
Maiden flight 1938
Status Prototype
Primary user U.S. Army Air Corps
Number built 1

The Stearman Model X-100 was a competitor in an United States Army Air Corps competition for a twin-engined attack aircraft which (after redesigns) led to the A-20 Havoc, A-22 Maryland and B-25 Mitchell.

Contents

[edit] Design and development

In flight
In flight

The X-100, designated XA-21 following purchase by the Army Air Corps, was a twin engined high-winged monoplane of all metal construction. It featured an unusual cockpit arrangement with a streamlined greenhouse canopy enclosing both the pilot and bombardier stations.[1] This was found to restrict the pilot's forward vision, and the aircraft was rebuilt with a conventional (stepped) nose and cockpit structure. Although this did not significantly affect performance, the XA-21 was not ordered into production.

The sole XA-21 had serial number 40-141.

[edit] Operators

Flag of the United States United States

[edit] Specifications (XA-21)

Front view
Front view

Data from J. Baugher[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Length: 53 ft 1 in (16.18 m)
  • Wingspan: 65 ft 0 in (19.81 m)
  • Height: 14 ft 2 in (4.32 m)
  • Wing area: 607 ft² (56.39 m²)
  • Empty weight: 12,760 lb (5,789 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 18,230 lb (8,269 kg)
  • Useful load: 5,560 lb (2,520 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2× Pratt & Whitney R-2180-7 radial engines, 1,400 hp (1,030 kW) each

Performance

Armament

  • Guns:
    • 4× wing-mounted 0.30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns
    • 1× nose-mounted 0.30 in machine gun
    • 4× aft-firing 0.30 in machine guns
  • Bombs: 2,700 lb (1,200 kg)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bowers 1989, p.273
  2. ^ Baugher, J (August 20, 2000). Stearman XA-21. Retrieved on 2006-10-25.
  • Bowers, Peter M. Boeing Aircraft since 1916. London:Putnam, Second edition, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-804-6.

[edit] See also

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USAAS/USAAC/USAAF/USAF attack aircraft designations 1924-1962

(A-1 not assigned)  • XA-2  • A-3  • A-4  • A-5  • A-6  • XA-7  • A-8  • XA-9  • YA-10  • XA-11  • A-12  • YA-13  • YA-14  • XA-15  • XA-16  • A-17  • A-18  • A-19  • A-20  • XA-21  • A-22  • A-23  • A-24  • A-25  • A-26  • A-27  • A-28  • A-29  • A-30  • A-31  • A-32  • A-33  • A-34  • A-35  • A-36  • XA-37  • XA-38  • XA-39  • A-40  • XA-41  • XA-42  • XA-43  • XA-44  • XA-45
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