Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly

XA-38 Grizzly
General information
TypeAttack aircraft
National originUnited States
ManufacturerBeechcraft
StatusCanceled
Primary userUnited States Army Air Forces
Number built2
History
First flight7 May 1944

The Beechcraft XA-38 "Grizzly" was a World War II-era ground attack aircraft, developed by Beechcraft, but never put into production. The Grizzly was to have been fitted with a forward-firing 75 mm cannon to penetrate heavily armored targets.

While the first prototype flew on 7 May 1944, testing established that the type would not be ready for the projected invasion of Japan. It also featured the Wright R-3350 engines already in use with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress—which had priority. Consequently, the XA-38 was canceled after a second prototype had been completed.