Stearman XA-21

XA-21
Stearman XA-21 (Streamlined Cockpit)
Role	Ground attack
Manufacturer	Stearman
First flight	1938
Status	Prototype
Primary user	U.S. Army Air Corps
Number built	1

The Stearman Model X-100 was a competitor in a United States Army Air Corps competition for a twin-engined attack aircraft which (after redesigns) led to the Douglas A-20 Havoc, Martin A-22 Maryland and North American B-25 Mitchell.

The X-100, designated XA-21 following purchase by the Army Air Corps, was a twin-engined high-winged monoplane of all-metal construction. It featured an unusual cockpit arrangement, much like those on most German World War II bombers designed during the war years, with a streamlined greenhouse canopy enclosing both the pilot and bombardier stations.

The XA-21 was first tested with the streamlined cockpit but this configuration was found to restrict the pilot's forward vision, and the aircraft was rebuilt with a conventional (stepped) nose and cockpit structure. Although this change in the cockpit did not significantly affect performance, the XA-21 was not ordered into production.'

The sole XA-21 had serial number 40-191.

Data from Museum of the United States Air Force

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

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