With this video, Wargaming shows a short introduction to the McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat, a prototype for a twin-engine, long-range, single-seat interceptor aircraft for the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. The video shows the history, design, and performance of the aircraft, as well as its role in the online game World of Warplanes.
Highlights:
- [00:00:04] The origin of the XP-67
- A response to the Army’s request for a high-speed, long-range, high-altitude interceptor
- A radical design with a blended wing-body and laminar airfoil sections
- A promise of 472 mph (760 km/h) top speed
- [00:00:28] The problems of the XP-67
- The engines were unreliable and prone to overheating and fire
- The performance was disappointing and never reached the expected level
- The project was cancelled after the sole prototype was destroyed
- [00:00:42] The role of the XP-67 in World of Tanks
- A premium tier 7 American fighter
- A fast and agile aircraft with good firepower and maneuverability
- A unique and rare plane that can surprise the enemy
McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat: The Ultimate Guide
The McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat was a prototype fighter aircraft developed by the United States during World War II. It had a radical design with a blended wing-body and laminar airfoil sections, promising a high-speed, long-range, high-altitude interceptor. However, the project was plagued by technical problems and never reached its full potential. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about the McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat, including its history, design, performance, and role in the online game World of Warplanes.
History of the McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat
The McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat was born out of a request from the Army Air Forces for a new fighter aircraft that could match or exceed the performance of the German and Japanese fighters. In 1941, McDonnell Aircraft submitted a proposal for a twin-engine, single-seat fighter with a sleek and futuristic shape. The design was inspired by the work of German aerodynamicist Alexander Lippisch, who experimented with tailless aircraft and delta wings.
The Army awarded McDonnell a contract for two prototypes in 1943, and the first one was completed in late 1944. The XP-67 was nicknamed “Moonbat” by the test pilots, because of its unusual appearance and nocturnal missions. The aircraft had a wooden mockup of a 75 mm cannon in the nose, and six 0.5 inch machine guns in the wings. It also had provisions for two 1,000 lb bombs or eight 4.5 inch rockets under the wings.
The XP-67 made its first flight on January 6, 1945, piloted by E.E. Elliot. However, the flight was cut short due to engine problems and fire. The aircraft suffered from poor engine cooling, unreliable fuel pumps, and inadequate cockpit ventilation. The performance was also disappointing, as the XP-67 never reached the expected top speed of 472 mph (760 km/h). The aircraft was modified several times to improve its performance and reliability, but the problems persisted.
The second prototype was never completed, and the project was cancelled in September 1945, after the end of the war. The sole XP-67 was destroyed in a fire during a ground test in 1947. The McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat was a failure, but it paved the way for McDonnell’s later successful jet fighters, such as the F2H Banshee and the F-4 Phantom II.
Design of the McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat
The McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat was a unique aircraft with a blended wing-body design. The fuselage and the wings were smoothly integrated, creating a continuous airfoil. The wings had a slight sweepback and taper, and were equipped with flaps and ailerons. The tail was also blended with the fuselage, and consisted of two vertical stabilizers and two horizontal stabilizers. The landing gear was retractable, and the cockpit was pressurized and air-conditioned.
The XP-67 was powered by two Continental XI-1430-17/19 liquid-cooled inverted V-12 engines, each producing 1,400 hp (1,044 kW). The engines were mounted in the wing roots, and drove two three-bladed propellers. The engines had exhaust-driven turbochargers and intercoolers, and were fed by two air intakes on the leading edge of the wing. The fuel capacity was 825 US gallons (3,123 L), and the oil capacity was 66 US gallons (250 L).
The XP-67 had a length of 44 ft 9 in (13.64 m), a wingspan of 55 ft (16.76 m), and a height of 15 ft 8 in (4.78 m). The wing area was 540 ft² (50.17 m²), and the aspect ratio was 5.6. The empty weight was 12,545 lb (5,691 kg), the gross weight was 18,210 lb (8,260 kg), and the maximum takeoff weight was 22,000 lb (9,979 kg). The XP-67 had a maximum speed of 405 mph (652 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m), a cruising speed of 260 mph (418 km/h) at 15,000 ft (4,572 m), and a stall speed of 120 mph (193 km/h). The service ceiling was 37,000 ft (11,278 m), and the range was 2,300 mi (3,701 km).
Performance of the McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat
The McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat was intended to be a high-performance fighter, but it failed to meet the expectations. The aircraft was underpowered, overweight, and unstable. The engines were prone to overheating and fire, and the fuel pumps were unreliable. The cockpit was hot and noisy, and the visibility was poor. The aircraft was also difficult to fly, and had a high landing speed.
The XP-67 had a poor rate of climb, and could not reach the design altitude of 40,000 ft (12,192 m). The aircraft was also slower than the contemporary fighters, such as the P-51 Mustang and the P-47 Thunderbolt. The XP-67 had a low wing loading, which gave it good maneuverability, but also increased the drag. The aircraft had a good range, but lacked the armament and the payload to be effective in combat.
The XP-67 was tested for 13 flights, totaling 6 hours and 5 minutes. The aircraft never achieved its design speed, and the highest speed recorded was 405 mph (652 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m). The aircraft also never fired its weapons, and the 75 mm cannon was never installed. The XP-67 was a disappointment, and was considered a waste of time and resources by the Army.
Role of the McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat in World of Warplanes
The McDonnell XP-67 Moonbat is a premium tier 7 American fighter in the online game World of Tanks. The aircraft is a rare and unique plane, that can surprise the enemy with its speed and agility. The aircraft has good firepower and maneuverability, but also has some drawbacks.
The XP-67 has six 0.5 inch machine guns in the wings, which have a high rate of fire and a good accuracy. The aircraft also has two 1,000 lb bombs or eight 4.5 inch rockets under the wings, which can deal a lot of damage to ground targets. The XP-67 has a good speed and a good boost, which allow it to chase and outrun most of the enemy planes. The aircraft also has a good turn rate and a good roll rate, which make it agile and responsive.
However, the XP-67 also has some weaknesses. The aircraft has a low durability and a low hit points, which make it vulnerable to enemy fire. The aircraft also has a low altitude performance and a low dive speed, which limit its options in combat. The aircraft also has a high stall speed and a high landing speed, which make it hard to take off and land (but this isn’t a problem on WoWp). The XP-67 is a challenging and rewarding plane, but also requires a lot of skill and experience to master.
