Air Enthusiast 2001-11
A.Pelletier - Not So Ideal
The two Continental engines of the XP-67 rotated in opposite directions. The right mounted XI-1430-17 rotated counter-clockwise while the left mounted XI-1430-19 rotated clockwise.
The exhausts of the two Continental engines participated slightly in the propulsion of the XP-67.
The sole XP-67 at full speed.
Well-known shot of the XP-67 in flight showing off the unconventional shape of the first McDonnell aircraft. The aircraft had its upper surfaces painted olive drab with irregular dark green patches around the edges.
The first XP-67 prototype under construction.
A full-scale mock-up of the engine nacelle was placed in the 20ft wind tunnel at Wright Field between October 10 and November 4, 1943.
Front view revealing the narrowness of the cockpit and the wide wheel tread of the undercarriage.
The nosewheel was swivelling but non-steerable. It was mounted in a fork attached to a single straight strut.
In spite of its rather futuristic silhouette and powerful engines, the XP-67 displayed disappointing performance and marginal manoeuvrability.
During the September 6, 1944, incident, the engine fire spread along the fuselage and the aft fuselage broke in two. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the prototype had accumulated just 43 hours.
McDonnell XP-67
McDonnell Model 1