TYPE: Heavy ground attack aircraft

ACCOMMODATION: Crew of two

POWER PLANT:  2 × Wright R-3350-43 Duplex Cyclone engines, rated at 2,300 hp each

PERFORMANCE: 370 mph at 17,000 ft

COMMENT: The Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly was a ground attack aircraft, fitted with a forward-firing 75 mm cannon with 20 rounds mounted in a fixed position on the nose to attack heavily armored targets such as tanks and bunkers. Additionally, there were two forward firing machine guns. Defensive armament consisted of remotely controlled ventral and dorsal turrets directed by periscope sights. The first prototype flew on 7 May 1944 and the aircraft proved satisfactory in all respects and better than expected. But after testing it became obvious it would not be ready for the projected invasion of Japan, and furthermore it used the same engines required by the Boeing B-29 Superfortress which had priority. So no orders were given and the XA-38 program was canceled after two prototypes had been completed. (Ref.: 23)