Convair XA41

In 1942, USAAF requested for a single-seat dive bomber design that powered by the new Pratt & Whitney XR4360 engine. The Vultee proposed their Model 90, and was awarded a contract for two prototypes, designated XA-41. After a mockup inspected in March 1943, the USAAF decided that it no longer needed dive bombers and changed the contract for a low-level ground attack aircraft instead. By this time, Vultee had merged with Consolidated to form Convair. Another change of plan occurred in September 1943, the USAAF concluded that it no longer needed a low-level ground attack aircraft, since the P-47 was proved capable of performing this role. The USAAF decided to keep XA-41 project as a flight testbed for the new R-4360 engine. It made its maiden flight in 1944. It was proved to have a high performance, and the low-altitude maneuverability was better than that of the P-51B but USAAF preferred twin-engined designs for its attack aircraft as the A-26 Invader, and no further consideration was given of any production of the XA-41. The plane was sold to Pratt & Whitney for tests of a variable-speed supercharger, and was eventually scrapped at in 1950.