The Republic XP-72 Wasp Major-powered “Super Thunderbolt” (or “Ultrabolt”) was being developed in the latter part of of WW2 as the ultimate incarnation of the P-47 Thunderbolt. Only two prototypes were built, one of which was given an Aero Products contra-rotating propeller arrangement and had an estimated speed of up to 550 mph.
A promising plane –yet it was finally cancelled. The XP-72 was no longer needed, prop-powered aircraft were reaching their technological apex and turbojet technology was beginning to take hold. Yet another of WW2’s “what ifs”, leaving to the imagination what impact such a powerful aircraft could have had in operational service.
AG1 lights
AG2 drop bombs
AG3 tail wheel steering lock/unlock
AG8 toggle exhaust smoke
Specifications
Spotlights
- This craft has been featured
- Mustang51 4.9 years ago
- EngieWeeb 4.8 years ago
- Armyguy1534 4.9 years ago
General Characteristics
- Created On Windows
- Wingspan 41.8ft (12.7m)
- Length 37.0ft (11.3m)
- Height 13.5ft (4.1m)
- Empty Weight 4,749lbs (2,154kg)
- Loaded Weight 10,066lbs (4,566kg)
Performance
- Power/Weight Ratio 1.674
- Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.496
- Wing Loading 12.9lbs/ft2 (62.8kg/m2)
- Wing Area 782.7ft2 (72.7m2)
- Drag Points 1851
Parts
- Number of Parts 674
- Control Surfaces 0
- Performance Cost 2,089
Really fun to fly! Keep up the good work!
Amazing design! Flight characteristics seem a little off for the era but seeing as it was a prototype and no one really knows how it flew. GREAT JOB!
The fuselage parts on those stabilizers must have required ridiculous amounts of patience. It certainly paid off, because it looks beautifully smooth. Very well done.
Dun Dun DDDUUUUUNNNN
This isn’t just bc of the contra rotating prop, but it looks vaguely like a Westland wyvern
This is really excellent. Beautiful aircraft!
@FatEgg already did
why does everyone ells get featured?? its an awesome build btw
@Brields95
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraftid=419
https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraftid=1726
@SimplyPlain read the wiki. Don't knock it though this plane looks much cooler
You should make more interwar fighters.
@Brields95 nope, definitely the XP-72. The 69 looks quite a bit different, and (would have) had a Wright Tornado engine. The 69 was cancelled even before the 72...
This is amazing except for one glaring problem. This is NOT an XP-72.
THIS is it's big bad brother, the XP-69.
Lovely Plane.
@asteroidbook345 correction: ultrajug.
@asteroidbook345 that's what they got for trying to squeeze a 28-cyl 4-row radial engine into a single-seater ;) ugly to look at, but it would have been a blast... only marginally slower than the Me-262 but with a much better rate of climb. With four 37mm cannons, something you definitely want to get away from -but can't.
JUGG
Damn I was already making one lol, good job though!
Sweet baby Jesus our lord and savior this is the most holy aircraft to ever ascend
This is beautiful! I've never heard of this aircraft before though.