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United States' Republic P-43 Lancer fighter1
Republic P-43 Lancer:
Design
The Republic P-43 Lancer was a descendent of the P-35 fighter.1 A turbo charged engine was added, plus some additional changes, to the last P-35 off the production line that created the XP-41 prototype.1
Undercarriage
The undercarriage retracted inwards towards the center of the plane.1
Prototype
In May 1939 the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) ordered 13 evaluation (YP-43) aircraft after the successful evaluation of the XP-41.1
The first YP-43 flew in September 1940.1
Production
Starting in May 1941 deliveries of the P-43 began.1
- XP-41: 11
- YP-43: 131
- P-43: 541
- P-43A: 801
- P-43A-1: 1251
- P-43B: Conversions to reconnaissance aircraft.1 Had cameras installed in the rear fuselage.1
- P-43C: Conversions to reconnaissance aircraft.1
- P-43D: Conversions to reconnaissance aircraft.1
- P-43E: Conversions to reconnaissance aircraft.1
- Total: 2731
Variants
- XP-41: Prototype.1
- YP-43:
- P-43:
- P-43A:
- P-43A-1: Had self sealing fuel tanks.1 Was to be sent to China under Lend-Lease.1
- P-44: Had a Pratt & Whitney R-2180 turbo charged engine installed (1,400 HP).1 Development was cancelled.1
Usage
Australia, China, and the United States used the P-43.1
China
China received 51 of the P-43A-1s.1 These had problems with the turbochargers and self sealing fuel tanks.1
Australia
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) received eight P-43s in 1942 to be used as photo reconnaissance aircraft.1 Six of these survived to be turned over to the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in 1943.1
| Republic P-43 Lancer1 | Republic P-43A Lancer1 | Republic P-43A-1 Lancer1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter1 | Fighter1 | Fighter1 |
| Crew | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Engine (Type) | Pratt & Whitney R-1830-351 | Pratt & Whitney R-1830-491 | Pratt & Whitney R-1830-571 |
| Cylinders | Radial 141 | Radial 141 | Radial 141 |
| Cooling | |||
| HP | 1,2001 | 1,2001 | 1,2001 |
| Propeller blades | 31 | 31 | 31 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Span | 36'1 10.97 m1 |
||
| Length | 28' 6"1 8.69 m1 |
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| Height | 14'1 4.27 m1 |
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| Wing area | |||
| Weight | |||
| Empty | 5,996 lb1 2,720 kg1 |
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| Normal load | 7,936 lb1 3,600 kg1 |
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| Performance | |||
| Speed @ 20,000' / 6,096 m |
356 mph1 573 kph1 |
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| Cruising speed | 280 mph1 450 kph1 |
||
| Climb | 2,850'/minute1 869 m/minute1 |
||
| Climb to 15,000' / 4,572 m |
6 minutes1 | ||
| Service ceiling | 36,000'1 10,970 m1 |
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| Range | 800 miles1 1,287 km1 |
||
| Armament | 2: 0.5" MG1 2: 0.3" MG1 |
2: 0.5" MG1 2: 0.3" MG1 |
4: 0.5" MG1 |
| Bombs | 200 lb1 91 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
