| XP-72 | |
|---|---|
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| |
| Role | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | Republic Aviation |
| First flight | 2 February 1944 |
| Status | Canceled |
| Number built | 2 |
| Developed from | Republic P-47 Thunderbolt |
The Republic XP-72 was an American prototype fighter-interceptor developed by Republic Aircraft as a progression of the P-47 Thunderbolt design. The XP-72 was designed around the Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major 28-cylinder air-cooled radial engine with a supercharger mounted behind the pilot and driven by an extension shaft from the engine. The armament consisted of six .50 caliber (12.7 mm) wing-mounted Browning AN/M2 machine guns and underwing racks for two 1,000 lb bombs; Alternative armament packages included two 37 mm M4 autocannons with four .50 caliber AN/M2s, or four M4 autocannons.