CFS2 Curtiss A-12 Shrike
The Curtiss A-12 Shrike was a radial-engined derivative of the A-8, which was the first monoplane attack aircraft to serve in substantial numbers with the US Army Air Corps. It was the main aircraft of Army attack plane strength throughout the early to mid-1930s. However the A-12 was rapidly made obsolescent by advances in aviation technology and its service with front-line units of the Army Air Corps was quite brief. By the late 1930s, it had been relegated largely to training units. Except for 20 export versions which were sent to China, the A-12 took no part in aerial combat during World War 2. It had been found that the wide separation between the two cockpits of the A-8 hindered communication and cooperation between the two crew members, so on the A-12 the rear cockpit was moved forward to share a common location with the pilot's cockpit. The rear gunner's cockpit had a sliding canopy and the pilot's cockpit was now fully open and was protected only by a windshield. The A-12 had a set of full-span leading edge slats which opened automatically at high angles of attack. The A-12 also had a set of trailing edge wing flaps. The name Shrike was quite often applied to this aircraft, but this was actually a Curtiss company name, and was not used by the US Army.
Textures by Mick Morrissey. FSDS2 model, panel, sounds and flight dynamics by David Wooster. DP file and CFS2 panel by Peperez.
The Curtiss A-12 Shrike was a radial-engined derivative of the A-8, which was the first monoplane attack aircraft to serve in substantial numbers with the US Army Air Corps. It was the main aircraft of Army attack plane strength throughout the early to mid-1930s. However the A-12 was rapidly made obsolescent by advances in aviation technology and its service with front-line units of the Army Air Corps was quite brief. By the late 1930s, it had been relegated largely to training units. Except for 20 export versions which were sent to China, the A-12 took no part in aerial combat during World War 2. It had been found that the wide separation between the two cockpits of the A-8 hindered communication and cooperation between the two crew members, so on the A-12 the rear cockpit was moved forward to share a common location with the pilot's cockpit. The rear gunner's cockpit had a sliding canopy and the pilot's cockpit was now fully open and was protected only by a windshield. The A-12 had a set of full-span leading edge slats which opened automatically at high angles of attack. The A-12 also had a set of trailing edge wing flaps. The name Shrike was quite often applied to this aircraft, but this was actually a Curtiss company name, and was not used by the US Army.
Textures by Mick Morrissey. FSDS2 model, panel, sounds and flight dynamics by David Wooster. DP file and CFS2 panel by Peperez.
