On 30 June 1941, Curtiss received a prototype development contract for the XF14C-1 single-seat shipboard fighter designed around the 2,200hp Lycoming XH-2470-4 liquid-cooled engine. At a relatively early stage in the programme, the unsatisfactory state of development of the Lycoming engine led to the redesign of the fighter to accept an 18-cylinder two-row Wright R-3350 as the XF14C-2, this engine driving a six-blade contraprop. Powered by an XR-3350-16 rated at 2,300hp, and carrying an armament of four 20mm cannon, the XF14C-2 was flown for the first time in September 1943, but not delivered to the US Navy until July 1944. Performance proved to be substantially below that specified and the prototype suffered excessive vibration. In consequence, further development of the XF14C-2 was abandoned.

3-View

A three-view drawing (1268 x 968)