05/31/2009. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "On June 30, 1941, Curtiss was awarded a development contract for the XF14C-1 single-seat high-altitude shipboard fighter, to be powered by the still experimental 2,200 hp Lycoming XH-2470-4 liquid cooled engine. Wind tunnel tests conducted by the Navy in October 1942 indicated that Curtiss engineers had been somewhat optimistic in their performance estimates, inadequate by contemporary standards. This, and the still existing prejudice by the Navy against liquid-cooled engines, led to the cancellation of the XF14C-1.

However, Curtiss was requested to adapt the airframe for the turbocharged 2,300 hp Wright XR-3350-16 eighteen-cylinder two-row air-cooled radial engine, driving a six-bladed contra-propeller. Designated XF14C-2, the aircraft was flown in September 1943, but not delivered to the USN until July 1944. The XF14C-2 performance, too, was below manufacturer's guarantees, and with the tide of war in the Pacific running in favor of the USA, the altitude capability needs diminished.

Subsequently the XF14C-2 program, Curtiss last propeller-driven fighter, was canceled."

Span: 46 ft 0 in (14.02 m)
Length: 37 ft 9 in (11.51 m)
Height: 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m)
Wing area: 375 sq.ft (34.84 sq.m)
Weight empty: 10,582 lb (4,800 kg)
Loaded weight: 13,405 lb (6,081 kg)
Max speed: 380 mph (611 kmh) at 20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Service ceiling: 39,000 ft (11,887 m)
Climb: to 20,000 ft (1,000 m) 7.9 min
Range: 1,355 mls (2,180 km)