Wedell-Williams XP-34
Encyclopedia
The Wedell-Williams XP-34 was a fighter aircraft
design submitted to the United States Army Air Corps
before World War II
by Marguerite Clark Williams, widow of millionaire Harry P. Williams.
Williams was owner of Wedell-Williams Air Service Corporation, "one of the most noted race plane designers of its day". The aircraft was the brainchild of air racer
Jimmy Wedell, a direct result of the development of Wedell's most successful designs, the Model 44
and Model 45
.
On October 1, 1935, the USAAC ordered a full set of drawings and issued the XP-34 designation. It soon became apparent, however, with its original 700 hp (522 kW) Pratt & Whitney
R1535
Twin Wasp engine, the anticipated performance of the XP-34 would be insufficient compared to designs already in production. Wedell-Williams suggested substituting the 900 hp (670 kW) XR-1830 instead, but the Air Corps was no longer interested and the project was cancelled without any aircraft being built.
The forward fuselage was intended to be metal, the after part and control surfaces covered in fabric.
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
design submitted to the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
by Marguerite Clark Williams, widow of millionaire Harry P. Williams.
Williams was owner of Wedell-Williams Air Service Corporation, "one of the most noted race plane designers of its day". The aircraft was the brainchild of air racer
Air racing
- History :The first ever air race was held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1908. The participants piloted the only 4 airships in the U.S. around a course located at Forest Park...
Jimmy Wedell, a direct result of the development of Wedell's most successful designs, the Model 44
Wedell-Williams Model 44
- External links :* - Louisiana State Museum-See also:-References:Notes...
and Model 45
Wedell-Williams Model 45
The Wedell-Williams Model 45 was a racing aircraft built in the United States in 1933. It was a development of designer James Wedell's earlier Model 44, although both he and company financier Harry P. Williams were killed in separate air crashes before the aircraft could be completed...
.
On October 1, 1935, the USAAC ordered a full set of drawings and issued the XP-34 designation. It soon became apparent, however, with its original 700 hp (522 kW) Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer with global service operations. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation . Pratt & Whitney's aircraft engines are widely used in both civil aviation and military aviation. Its headquarters are in East Hartford, Connecticut, USA...
R1535
Pratt & Whitney R-1535
|-See also:* Pratt & Whitney Wasp series* R-985 Wasp Junior* R-1340 Wasp* R-1830 Twin Wasp* R-2800 Double Wasp* R-4360 Wasp Major-Bibliography:...
Twin Wasp engine, the anticipated performance of the XP-34 would be insufficient compared to designs already in production. Wedell-Williams suggested substituting the 900 hp (670 kW) XR-1830 instead, but the Air Corps was no longer interested and the project was cancelled without any aircraft being built.
The forward fuselage was intended to be metal, the after part and control surfaces covered in fabric.