Spin and Recovery Characteristics of the Curtiss-Wright XP-87 Airplane

The spin and recovery characteristics of the Curtiss-Wright XP-87 airplane, as well as the spin-recovery parachute requirements, the control forces that would be encountered in the spin, and the best method for the crew to attempt an emergency escape, are presented in this report. The characteristics were estimated rather than determined by model tests because the XP-87 dimensional and mass characteristics were considered to be noncritical and because data were available from model tests of several similar airplanes. The study indicated that the recovery characteristics of the airplane will be satisfactory for all loadings if the controls are reversed fully and rapidly. The control forces, however, will probably be beyond the capabilities of the pilot unless some additional balance or a booster is used. A 6-foot tail parachute or a 3.5-foot wing-tip parachute with a drag coefficient of 0.7 will be a satisfactory, emergency spin-recovery device for spin demonstrations. If it is necessary for the crew to abandon the spinning airplane, they should leave from the outboard side of the cockpit.