TYPE: Interceptor fighter

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Wright R-3350-17 Duplex Cyclone radial piston engine, rated at 2,300 hp, and driving six-bladed contra-rotating constant-speed propellers

PERFORMANCE: 448 mph at 27,000 ft

COMMENTS: The Curtiss XP-62 was a prototype single-engine interceptor aircraft, that was built for the United States Army Air Forces, by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. It first flew in 1943.
The design sought to have an improved high-altitude performance and higher speeds, at all altitudes, which was to be assisted by the 18-cylinder Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone engine. It was to be armed with four 0.79 in autocannons, a heavier armament than contemporary USAAF fighter aircraft, and was fitted with a pressurized cockpit.
The terms of the contract proposal of 29 April 1941 called for the first flight within fifteen months of the award and meet the following objectives:
Maximum level flight speed at 27,000 ft had to exceed 468 mph, it was to feature an air-conditioned pressurized cockpit , armament to be either eight 0.79 in cannons or twelve 0.50 in machine guns, mounted in the wings.
Two prototypes were ordered; the first designated XP-62 and the second designated XP-62A.
On 2 August 1941, the specifications were amended for the XP-62, reducing the maximum speed to 448 mph with eight 0.79 in cannons, and increasing the loaded weight by 1,537 lb (697 kg).
During a project review of 1 January 1942, the specification was again revised, with the loaded weight reduced by eliminating four cannons and removing the propeller de-icing  equipment.
On 25 May 1942 a contract for 100 P-62 fighters was awarded. However, on July 1942, before production could begin, the contract for the P-62 was terminated by the USAAF because of the effect on deliveries of Curtiss-built Republic P-47G-CU Thunderbolts.
While work on the XP-62A continued, it progressed slowly, owing to its low priority. Delays in delivery of the pressure-cabin supercharger and engine modifications delayed the first flight until 21 July 1943. Only a limited amount of flight testing was carried out before the XP-62A was canceled on 21 September 1943 and full performance characteristics were not obtained. The prototype was scrapped in early 1944 (Ref.: 24).