Based on studies of heavy, long-range fighters that had been undertaken prior to the American involvement in World War II, the United States Army Air Forces initially ordered two prototypes in November 1941.[3] The major role for the proposed aircraft was to act as an "escort" fighter to protect heavy bombers that would have to operate over occupied Europe even if Britain was conquered.[3]
Developed around two turbocharged3,450hp (2,570kW) R-4360s driving pusher propellers, the XP-71 would have been the largest fighter aircraft built in the war.
The final XP-71 design would have been larger than the contemporary B-25 Mitchell medium bomber and was considered a complex industrial project that would have taxed the resources of the Curtiss company as it was evident that development time would stretch out well beyond the projected need for the type. [1]
At the time, Curtiss facilities were completely committed to producing existing aircraft;[citation needed] due to the need to keep their production lines open for the current types on order and with shifting combat requirements, the USAAF reconsidered the need for the project before prototype construction had begun.[citation needed] As conditions changed and it was clear that Britain would continue to be available for forward bases, the requirement for the advanced fighter project led to the cancellation of the XP-71 in early 1942.[3]
Specifications (XP-71, as designed)
XP-71 illustration by Curtiss-Wright engineer G. L. Flanders
