Curtiss XBTC

In December 1943, the Curtiss company received an order from the U.S. Navy for two single-seat XBTC-1 torpedo bomber aircraft (serial numbers 31401 and 31402). The streamlined low-wing monoplane, featuring a significant transverse dihedral on the outer wing panels, a retractable tailwheel landing gear, and a 3000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-4360-14 Wasp Major engine, endowed the Curtiss Model 96 with characteristics promising excellent flight performance. The XBTC-1 boasted powerful armament, including four 20mm cannons, and could carry one torpedo or bombs weighing up to 910 kg.

Evolution of Design and Armament

Before the first aircraft took to the air, a slightly different engine version, the Pratt & Whitney R-4360-8A Wasp Major, was installed in each prototype, leading to the new designation XBTC-2. The prototypes differed in wing construction and propellers. One was fitted with a 6-bladed counter-rotating Curtiss Electric propeller (4.32 m diameter), while the second had a 6-bladed counter-rotating Aeroproducts AD7562 (4 m diameter).

Competition and Final Fate

Both prototypes were delivered to the Naval Air Test Center for comparative testing in the competition for new BT (Bomber-Torpedo) class aircraft. Alongside the Curtiss machines, the Douglas XBT2D-1, Martin XBTM-1 Mauler, and Kaiser-Fleetwings XBTK-1 participated in this contest. The XBT2D-1 (the future A-1 Skyraider) and the XBTM-1 (AM-1 Mauler) were declared the winners, while the XBTC-2s remained at the center for test flights.

Both were lost in accidents in 1947—the first in February, the other in August. Besides the Navy, the U.S. Air Force also showed interest in the aircraft, even assigning it the designation A-40. However, they later withdrew from procurement, and the project was ultimately canceled.

Technical Specifications

Modification	KhVTS-2
Wingspan, m	15.24
Length, m	11.89
Height, m	3.94
Wing area, m2	39.50
Empty weight	6083
Normal takeoff weight	9825
Engine type	1 Piston engine Pratt & Whitney R-4360-8A Wasp Major
Power, hp	1 x 3000
Maximum speed, km/h	602
Cruising speed, km/h	303
Practical range, km	2953
Maximum rate of climb, m/min	684
Practical ceiling, m	7986
Crew, crew members	1
Armament:	four 20-mm cannons, up to 910 kg of bomb load or one Mk.13 torpedo

Image and diagram gallery of the Curtiss XBTC

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BTC	BTC. Photograph: Lauhof