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Description
Early in 1941, aviation scientist Prof. Anton Veeblefitzer approached Howard Hughes with a proposal to collaborate on designing and building a unique anti-ship and ground attack aircraft, that would be completely different from conventional twin engine aircraft, such as the North American B-25, Martin B-26, and the Douglas A-20.
Prof. Veeblefitzer's blueprints featured a massive, robustly built craft powered by two PW-R2800 motors, placed in tandem, in pusher/puller style, in the fuselage. The fore engine placement was of conventional design, while the aft engine was placed facing backwards, driving two counter-rotating propellers.
The craft's wings were to be over-size laminar airfoil, equipped with 5 attachment points per wing, plus a single large fuselage mounted attachment point, bringing to a total of 11 attachment points capable of carry 10 x 1,000 lb bombs and a large external fuel cell carried beneath the fuselage.
The craft was also to carry 6 x 20mm cannon with a total 1,500 rounds in the wings.
A tricycle landing gear arrangement was featured, with a fourth gear, that was to insure that no aft propeller/ground impact occurred.
The cockpit, and key areas, such as fuel and oil cells were armored.
This was also the first craft designed to have an ejector seat for a quick pilot bailout.
The pilot enjoyed hydraulic assisted controls, which made the machine much easier to fly than all others.
The close proximity of the large tail surfaces to the wing gave the craft a "turn on the dime" quality that was unequaled.
The War Dept., predictably rejected the design as being too radical. Undeterred, Hughes and Veeblefitzer pursued it as a private venture, and produced a completely equipped prototype, that flew, three days before the Pearl Harbor attack.
NOW, the War Dept. showed interest, and a demonstration flight, with live bombs and ammo, was given to Army Air Corps engineers one week after Pearl Harbor.
They were so impressed, that an immediate order for 250 aircraft was given.
Labelled the A53 Thundermug, the craft, especially the C variant, proved to be a devastating weapon.
Capable of carrying bomb loads, and cannon firepower, superior to all conventional attack aircraft of the day, it sank enemy ships and destroyed ground targets with a thoroughness unequaled. It's ruggedness and ability to absorb punishment, and survive, earned it the love and respect of its pilots.
Fully loaded, it was a lumbering beast, but once free of bomb weight, it's surprising maneuverability and fire power gave it an advantage over attacking enemy aircraft.
Pictured is the craft piloted by Major Michael "Mickey" Silver, commander of the special 8th Attack and Support Squadron, based in England. The cartoon logo featured on the forward cowl was a parody of a Disney cartoon image of Hitler, being clobbered by two 8-balls, placed similar to Mickey Mouses ears.
Prof. Veeblefitzer, etc., were unaware that Dornier Co. was pursuing a similar design.

I had more fun designing this dev' than all my others.
Jimbo

Made with DeviantArt muro

Description
Early in 1941, aviation scientist Prof. Anton Veeblefitzer approached Howard Hughes with a proposal to collaborate on designing and building a unique anti-ship and ground attack aircraft, that would be completely different from conventional twin engine aircraft, such as the North American B-25, Martin B-26, and the Douglas A-20.
Prof. Veeblefitzer's blueprints featured a massive, robustly built craft powered by two PW-R2800 motors, placed in tandem, in pusher/puller style, in the fuselage. The fore engine placement was of conventional design, while the aft engine was placed facing backwards, driving two counter-rotating propellers.
The craft's wings were to be over-size laminar airfoil, equipped with 5 attachment points per wing, plus a single large fuselage mounted attachment point, bringing to a total of 11 attachment points capable of carry 10 x 1,000 lb bombs and a large external fuel cell carried beneath the fuselage.
The craft was also to carry 6 x 20mm cannon with a total 1,500 rounds in the wings.
A tricycle landing gear arrangement was featured, with a fourth gear, that was to insure that no aft propeller/ground impact occurred.
The cockpit, and key areas, such as fuel and oil cells were armored.
This was also the first craft designed to have an ejector seat for a quick pilot bailout.
The pilot enjoyed hydraulic assisted controls, which made the machine much easier to fly than all others.
The close proximity of the large tail surfaces to the wing gave the craft a "turn on the dime" quality that was unequaled.
The War Dept., predictably rejected the design as being too radical. Undeterred, Hughes and Veeblefitzer pursued it as a private venture, and produced a completely equipped prototype, that flew, three days before the Pearl Harbor attack.
NOW, the War Dept. showed interest, and a demonstration flight, with live bombs and ammo, was given to Army Air Corps engineers one week after Pearl Harbor.
They were so impressed, that an immediate order for 250 aircraft was given.
Labelled the A53 Thundermug, the craft, especially the C variant, proved to be a devastating weapon.
Capable of carrying bomb loads, and cannon firepower, superior to all conventional attack aircraft of the day, it sank enemy ships and destroyed ground targets with a thoroughness unequaled. It's ruggedness and ability to absorb punishment, and survive, earned it the love and respect of its pilots.
Fully loaded, it was a lumbering beast, but once free of bomb weight, it's surprising maneuverability and fire power gave it an advantage over attacking enemy aircraft.
Pictured is the craft piloted by Major Michael "Mickey" Silver, commander of the special 8th Attack and Support Squadron, based in England. The cartoon logo featured on the forward cowl was a parody of a Disney cartoon image of Hitler, being clobbered by two 8-balls, placed similar to Mickey Mouses ears.
Prof. Veeblefitzer, etc., were unaware that Dornier Co. was pursuing a similar design.

I had more fun designing this dev' than all my others.
Jimbo

Made with DeviantArt muro