| XA-21 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Stearman XA-21 with streamlined cockpit | |
| Role | Ground attack |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Stearman Aircraft |
| First flight | 1938 |
| Status | Prototype |
| Primary user | United States Army Air Corps |
| Number built | 1 |
The Stearman XA-21 (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. [1] Its initial design featured an unusual "stepless cockpit" arrangement, much like those on most German World War II bombers designed during the war years from the He 111P onwards, with a streamlined, well-framed greenhouse canopy enclosing both the pilot and bombardier stations. [2]
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. [3] Although this change in the cockpit did not significantly affect performance, the XA-21 was not ordered into production.' [4]
The sole XA-21 had serial number 40-191.
United States 
Data fromMuseum of the United States Air Force [4]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
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