Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft
Consolidated P-30 Aircraft Overview
The Consolidated P-30 was a fighter aircraft developed by Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in the 1930s. It was designed to be an export version of the United States Army Air Corps’ P-30, which was also developed by Consolidated.
The P-30 was a single-engine, single-seat aircraft with a high-wing design. It was powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1830 radial engine and was armed with a combination of .30 caliber and .50 caliber machine guns. The aircraft also featured a retractable landing gear.
The P-30 was designed for export and saw service with several countries, including China, which used the aircraft in the Second Sino-Japanese War. The P-30 was also used by the French Air Force, which deployed the aircraft in the early days of World War II.
However, the P-30 was quickly outclassed by newer designs, such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and the Supermarine Spitfire. As a result, the type was quickly retired from service and replaced by newer aircraft.
Despite its short service life, the P-30 played an important role in the development of American fighter aircraft. The lessons learned from the P-30’s design and operation were used to develop newer and more advanced fighters, such as the P-36 Hawk and the P-40 Warhawk.
Consolidated P-30 Specifications
- Crew: two
- Length: 30 ft 0 in (9.14 m)
- Wingspan: 43 ft 11 in (13.38 m)
- Height: 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m)
- Wing area: 297 sq ft (27.6 m2)
- Empty weight: 4,306 lb (1,950 kg)
- Gross weight: 5,623 lb (2,556 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Curtiss V-1570-61 Conqueror liquid-cooled V12 engine, 700 hp (520 kW)
Consolidated P-30 Performance
- Maximum speed: 275 mph (443 km/h, 239 kn) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
- Cruise speed: 215 mph (346 km/h, 187 kn) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
- Range: 508 mi (818 km, 442 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 28,000 ft (8,530 m)
- Climb to 15,000 ft (4,600 m): 7 min 48 s
Consolidated P-30 Armament
- Guns:
- 2 x 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns firing through the propeller.
- 1 x 0.30 in machine gun in the rear cockpit
- Bombs: 170 lb (80 kg) bombs.
