The Vultee XP-68 Tornado was a proposed
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
high-altitude interceptor aircraft. It was based on the experimental
XP-54 Swoose Goose and powered by the
Wright R-2160 Tornado
The Wright R-2160 Tornado was an experimental 42-cylinder, 7-cylinder per row, 6-row liquid-cooled inline radial aircraft engine. It was proposed in 1940 with 2,350 hp (1,752 kW) for experimental aircraft such as the Lockheed XP-58 Cha ...
42-cylinder
radial engine
The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders "radiate" outward from a central crankcase like the spokes of a wheel. It resembles a stylized star when viewed from the front, and is ca ...
driving a set of
contra-rotating
Contra-rotating, also referred to as coaxial contra-rotating, is a technique whereby parts of a mechanism rotate in opposite directions about a common axis, usually to minimise the effect of torque. Examples include some aircraft propellers, res ...
propellers in a
twin-boom
A twin-boom aircraft is characterised by two longitudinal booms (extended nacelle-like bodies). The booms may contain ancillary items such as fuel tanks and/or provide a supporting structure for other items. Typically, twin tailbooms support ...
pusher configuration
In an aircraft with a pusher configuration (as opposed to a tractor configuration), the propeller(s) are mounted behind their respective engine(s). Since a pusher propeller is mounted behind the engine, the drive shaft is in compression in nor ...
. When the engine was cancelled on 22 November 1941, the XP-68 was also cancelled.
Specifications
See also
References
Citations
Bibliography
* Andrade, John M. ''U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909''. Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. (Hardcover), (Softcover).
* Angelucci, Enzo and Peter Bowers. ''The American Fighter, The Definite Guide to American Fighter Aircraft from 1917 to the Present''. New York: Orion Books, 1987. .
*
* Thompson, Jonathan. ''Vultee Aircraft 1932–1947''. Santa Ana, CA; Narkiewicz/Thompson, 1992. .
* Wagner, Ray. ''American Combat Planes of the 20th Century: A Comprehensive Reference''. Reno, Nevada: Jack Bacon & Co, 2004. .
External links
Vultee XP-68 Fact Sheetat the National Museum of the USAF
Cancelled military aircraft projects of the United States
Single-engined pusher aircraft
Twin-boom aircraft
Aircraft with contra-rotating propellers
XP-68
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