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Home > Fact Sheets > Curtiss XF-87
CURTISS XF-87
The XF-87 was the last aircraft built by Curtiss Aircraft. The specification originally called for a twin-engine, single-place fighter, which evolved into an attack aircraft (XA-43) and finally to a quad-jet, twin-place, all-weather, high-altitude fighter. Two prototype XF-87s were built (S/N 45-59600 and 46-522), the second of which was modified to the sole XF-87A.
The XF-87 was designed for an innovative nose turret capable of swiveling in a wide arc around the axis of flight; however, the turret was never actually installed on the XF-87.
The very large fighter was severely underpowered by four J34 turbojets and was redesigned for two J47 turbojets (XF-87A). A production order for 58 XF-87As and 30 RF-87s was canceled before any aircraft were constructed.
| Type |
Number built/
converted |
Remarks |
| XF-87 |
2 |
Last Curtiss aircraft |
| XF-87A |
1 (cv) |
Modified XF-87 |
| F-87A |
0 |
58 canceled |
| RF-87A |
0 |
30 canceled |
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Engines: Four Westinghouse J34-WE-7 turbojets of 3,000 lbs. thrust each
Armament: Four 20mm cannon and two .50-cal. machine guns
Maximum speed: 520 mph
Cruising speed: 450 mph
Range: 1,000 miles
Service ceiling: 41,000 ft.
Span: 60 ft. 0 in.
Length: 62 ft. 0 in.
Height: 20 ft. 4 in.
Weight: 37,350 lbs. loaded
Crew: Two
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