The XF15C-1 - the designation afforded to the prototype group - was a large aircraft for one considered to enter carrier service. The type was intended to be fielded from the USN's new Midway-class which could accept larger types. Dimensions included a length of 13.4 meters, a wingspan of 14.5 meters and a height of 4.6 meters. Empty weight was 5,740 lb versus a gross weight of 7,545 lb.
Proposed armament became 4 x 20mm cannons - a definitive shift away from the American norm of multiple 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns featured so prominently in other fighter designs to date.
First flight of the XF15C prototype was on February 28th, 1945 though this was accomplished without the required turbojet engine and the intended Pratt & Whitney 34W engine - instead a Pratt & Whitney 22W radial was used. It was not until early May that the aircraft flew with its turbojet in place though this aircraft was lost in a crash later that month. During the short flying phase, some issues with handling and control became apparent and attempts followed to remedy them.
Despite the program's setback (the test pilot died in the crash) the program continued through a second prototype which went airborne for the first time on July 9th 1945 - this time it featured both of the intended powerplants which provided more of a finalized look and feel for the aircraft. Handling issues persisted and additional engineering was called into play which led to a new tail unit being fitted - this with a T-style arrangement and an extended dorsal section along the base of the vertical fin.
The war in Europe had ended back in May of 1945 which forced the review of many in-development aircraft and some inevitably fell to naught while others were allowed to gestate a bit longer. The latter proved the case with the XFC15-1 as the American commitment to the war in the Pacific was still ongoing. However, when this phase of the war drew down in late August and the USN beginning to focus more heavily on dedicated turbojet-powered forms, the Curtiss composite fighter was left with no takers. A last gasp for the project was briefly seen when the U.S. Army moved in to evaluated the large plane but this initiative was ultimately abandoned. The XF15C was formally cancelled in October of 1946 with three prototypes for show for itself.
Known performance specifications of the XF15C included a maximum speed of 470 miles per hour, a range out to 1,385 miles and a rate-of-climb nearing 5,020 feet per minute.
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