XP-43 Lancer

[cardboard_killer]

"[80 Years ago today t]he Republic XP-43 Lancer has its maiden flight. Republic Aviation is developing it in parallel with the Seversky XP-41, and both are developments of the AP-4 improvement of the Seversky P-35. The US Army Air Corps will express preference for the P-43 and the P-41 will be cancelled. The P-43 will likewise fail to gain major contracts, though 272 will be built, mainly seeing combat with the American Volunteer Group and the Chinese Air Force. Development of the P-43 will lead to the P-47."

 

 

In other news from 80 years ago,

 

"• Newly purchased Fiat CR-42 biplane fighters enter service with 3ème Escadrille de Chasse of the Aviation Militaire Belge."

 

 

Edited March 6, 2020 by cardboard_killer

[cardboard_killer]

[80 years ago today] "

• The Republic P-43 Lancer enters service with the US Army Air Corps. Although it exceeds the 1939 USAAC performance requirements, it is already considered obsolete compared to contemporary European fighters. It has long range and good high altitude performance but lacks armor, self-sealing fuel tanks, and maneuverability. 125 of the 272 built will be lend-leased to China. The remainder will be employed for mainland defense through 1942 and then utilized as advanced fighter trainers.

- Below is a demonstration flight with, from top to bottom, a YP-38, P-39C, P-40, and YP-43."