Republic XP-72
(Thanks to Jon Brunker for providing the photo for this page.)
The XP-72 was a more-or-less straightforward progressive development of the P-47 Thunderbolt, designed to be a successor for that very successful aircraft. With a 3450 hp engine, a maximum speed of 500mph was hoped for. After favorable testing of the prototype, the USAAF ordered 100 examples, though the contract was cancelled with the changing course of the war. Only the two prototypes were built, one of which crashed, and the other was eventually scrapped.
For more data on this aircraft, click
here for Joe Baugher's
webpage.
USAF archives on this aircraft, click
here.
Additional information on this aircraft
can be found at Wikipedia
here.
(updated February 2009)
Republic XP-72
Type: Fighter
Crew: 1, Pilot
Armament: six .50 cal machine guns
or optionally four 37-mm cannon
plus optional two 1000 lb. bombs
Specifications:
Length: 36' 7"
Height: 16' 0"
Wingspan: 40' 11"
Wing Area: 300 sq. ft.
Empty Weight: 11,476 lbs
Max Weight: 17,490 lbs
Propulsion:
No. of Engines: 1
Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-4360-13 Wasp Major
Horsepower: 3450 hp
Performance:
Range*: 2520 miles
Max Speed: 490 mph
Ceiling: 42,000 ft
* (with two 125 Imp. gall. drop tanks)
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