The XP-55 came about as a result of the 1939 USAAC proposal R-40C, which called for a new high-performance fighter and spawned several other unusual designs, including the XP-54 Swoose Goose and the XP-56 Black Bullet. Curtiss-Wright's design originally used an experimental Pratt & Whitney X-1800 engine, but after development issues brought the project to a halt, it instead used a more conventional Allison V-1710. The first Ascender prototype made its maiden flight on 19 July 1943. Just two more would be built before the cancellation of the XP-55's development due the aircraft stalling a number of times. This trait caused the crash of the first prototype, which was lost during stall trials on 15th November 1943. The second prototype first flew on 9th January 1944, with the third following
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| - Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender
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| - The XP-55 came about as a result of the 1939 USAAC proposal R-40C, which called for a new high-performance fighter and spawned several other unusual designs, including the XP-54 Swoose Goose and the XP-56 Black Bullet. Curtiss-Wright's design originally used an experimental Pratt & Whitney X-1800 engine, but after development issues brought the project to a halt, it instead used a more conventional Allison V-1710. The first Ascender prototype made its maiden flight on 19 July 1943. Just two more would be built before the cancellation of the XP-55's development due the aircraft stalling a number of times. This trait caused the crash of the first prototype, which was lost during stall trials on 15th November 1943. The second prototype first flew on 9th January 1944, with the third following
- The Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender (company designation CW-24) was a 1940s United States prototype fighter aircraft built by Curtiss-Wright. Along with the XP-54 and XP-56, it resulted from United States Army Air Corps proposal R-40C issued on 27 November 1939 for aircraft with improved performance, armament and pilot visibility over existing fighters; it specifically allowed for unconventional aircraft designs. A highly unusual design for its time, it had a canard configuration, a rear mounted engine, swept wings and two vertical tails. Because of its pusher design, it was sarcastically referred to as the "Ass-ender". Like the XP-54, the Ascender was initially designed for the Pratt & Whitney X-1800 engine and had to be redesigned when that engine project was cancelled. It would also be th
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| - WW2 Aircraft Fact Files: US Army Air Force Fighters, Part 1
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| abstract
| - The Curtiss-Wright XP-55 Ascender (company designation CW-24) was a 1940s United States prototype fighter aircraft built by Curtiss-Wright. Along with the XP-54 and XP-56, it resulted from United States Army Air Corps proposal R-40C issued on 27 November 1939 for aircraft with improved performance, armament and pilot visibility over existing fighters; it specifically allowed for unconventional aircraft designs. A highly unusual design for its time, it had a canard configuration, a rear mounted engine, swept wings and two vertical tails. Because of its pusher design, it was sarcastically referred to as the "Ass-ender". Like the XP-54, the Ascender was initially designed for the Pratt & Whitney X-1800 engine and had to be redesigned when that engine project was cancelled. It would also be the first Curtiss fighter aircraft to use tricycle landing gear.
- The XP-55 came about as a result of the 1939 USAAC proposal R-40C, which called for a new high-performance fighter and spawned several other unusual designs, including the XP-54 Swoose Goose and the XP-56 Black Bullet. Curtiss-Wright's design originally used an experimental Pratt & Whitney X-1800 engine, but after development issues brought the project to a halt, it instead used a more conventional Allison V-1710. The first Ascender prototype made its maiden flight on 19 July 1943. Just two more would be built before the cancellation of the XP-55's development due the aircraft stalling a number of times. This trait caused the crash of the first prototype, which was lost during stall trials on 15th November 1943. The second prototype first flew on 9th January 1944, with the third following on 25th April. The latter example featured extended wingtips with 'trailerons' and increased elevator travel limits. Testing revealed that the XP-55 had a tendency to over control at low speeds. In addition, stall behavior was unconventional and undesirable, and engine cooling was critical. This led to the conclusion that the unorthodox configuration did not justify further development. The only surviving XP-55 is owned by the National Air and Space Museum, and is currently on long-term loan to the Air Zoo museum in Michigan.
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