Warplanes of the USA: Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly

Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly

(NMUSAF Photo)

The second Beech XA-38 Grizzly (Serial No 43-11407)

The Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly was a Second World War-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 then in use with the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, which had priority. Consequently, the XA-38 was canceled after a second prototype had been completed.

In December 1942, the USAAF awarded the Beech Aircraft Corporation a contract for two prototypes for their Model 28 "Destroyer". What began as a bomber-destroyer design became a powerful ground attack aircraft to replace the Douglas A-20 Havoc. The Grizzly was to have the ability to hit hard targets like tanks and bunkers and to attack coastal shipping. This capability was achieved through a 75-mm cannon with 20 rounds, mounted in a fixed position on the nose as well as two .50 cal (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns firing forward. Defensive armament consisted of remotely controlled ventral and dorsal turrets, each armed with twin .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns. There were to be two crew members, a pilot and an observer/gunner in the rear cabin, using periscope sights to aim the guns.

On 7 May 1944, Beech test pilot Vern Carstens flew the XA-38 on its maiden flight from the company's Wichita airfield. The aircraft proved satisfactory in all respects and better than expected in some, including top speed. During testing, the XA-38 prototypes were flown by USAAF pilots and serviced by military personnel, proving to be reliable and establishing a high level of serviceability.The armament proved especially effective; if not for a shift in wartime priorities in 1944, the aircraft would most likely have been ordered in quantity, even though the B-29 had priority for the Wright R-3350 engines. Instead, one prototype was scrapped and the other, intended for the USAF Museum, had an unknown fate. (Wikipedia)