In the mid 1930s, the USAAC announced a new competition to design a long range escort fighter to accompany bombers to and from distant targets. Two companies came forward with designs, although Lockheed soon withdrew their concept to concentrate on the XP-38. This left only one manufacturer, who received a contract by default. On 1, September 1937, the first prototype took to the air and proved to require some major changes to become acceptable. Meanwhile, the USAAC revised its requirement several times and this aircraft was alternately looked upon as an escort fighter, light bomber and finally, a bomber destroyer. Armed with two 37mm cannon, two .50 caliber, and four .30 caliber machine guns, this unusual aircraft is shown below after its third major design evolution. Powered initially by two V-1710 Allison engines in a pusher configuration, the original turbosuperchargers were removed due to poor reliability and the aircraft flew with single-speed, single-stage mechanical superchargers thereafter. A grand total of 13 aircraft were delivered before the program was finally cancelled in early 1941.
Identify this aircraft.
My regards,
Widewing
