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Curtiss XF9C-1 Sparrowhawk Prototype

by | Dec 7, 2023 | 0 comments

Curtiss XF9C-1 Sparrowhawk Prototype

1931 Curtiss XF9C-1 explored the concept of airship-based aircraft deployment

A 1931 photo of a military Curtiss XF9C on the tarmac

The Curtiss XF9C-1 is a so-called “parasite fighter,” a small airplane designed to be deployed from a larger aircraft such as an airship or bomber. This factory image shows a prototype XF9C-1 biplane without its “skyhook” launch and recovery system. (Photo from the Paul S. Maynard archive)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The recent headline news of another crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey reminds of the sometimes-daring aircraft prototypes of the 1920s and 1930s. One such example is the Curtiss XF9C-1 “Sparrowhawk.”

In the early 1930s, the United States Navy sought an innovative solution for launching and recovering aircraft from its airships. The answer came from the Curtiss XF9C-1, a lightweight biplane designed to be carried and deployed from the USS Akron and USS Macon airships.

The Sparrowhawk was a revolutionary concept intended to extend helium-inflated airships’ operational range and versatility, turning them into mobile aircraft carriers.

Though technically considered a compact fighter biplane with a pair of machine guns and a 100-pound bomb, the Curtiss XF9C-1 was better at surveillance, and even that was compromised by poor visibility to the ground.

According to Wikipedia, the Curtiss XF9C-1 is an example of a so-called “parasite fighter,” a small airplane designed to be deployed from a larger aircraft such as an airship or bomber.

The Curtiss-Wright Corp. engineered the XF9C-1 to work with a unique trapeze mechanism mounted on the underside of the airship. A so-called “Skyhook” system was affixed to the biplane’s top wing, which would connect with the crossbar of the trapeze.

A biplane suspended by its skyhook at the base of a military airship

The F9C-2 Sparrowhawk fighter, piloted by Lieutenant D. Ward Harrigan, USN, was shown hanging from the airship USS Macon’s trapeze. (Navy photo via Wikipedia)

‘The Men on the Flying Trapeze’

Per Wikipedia, the biplane’s hook was engaged on the trapeze inside the airship’s hangar for launching. The trapeze was then lowered clear of the hull into the moving airship’s slipstream and, engine running, the Sparrowhawk would then disengage its hook and fall away from the airship.

For recovery, the biplane would fly underneath its mother ship, beneath the trapeze, climb from below, and hook onto the crossbar. The width of the trapeze crossbar allowed a certain lateral leeway in approach. The biplane’s hook mounting had a guide rail for protection from the turning propeller. Engagement of the hook was automatic on positive contact between the hook and trapeze.

Once the Sparrowhawk was securely caught, it could be hoisted by the trapeze back within the airship’s hull, the engine being stopped as it passed the hangar door.

Although seemingly a tricky maneuver, pilots soon learned the technique, and it was said to be much easier than landing on a moving, pitching, and rolling aircraft carrier.

More than one attempt might have been necessary in gusty conditions before a successful engagement was achieved. Almost inevitably, the pilots soon acquired the epithet “The men on the Flying Trapeze,” and their aircraft were decorated with appropriate unit emblems.

3 XF9C biplanes flying in v formation circa 1931

Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk fighters flying in a V formation, circa 1933-1935. These planes are part of the heavier-than-air group of USS Macon. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph)

Airship Assist

According to Airships.net, the ships were built with hangars, approximately 75 feet long by 60 feet wide by 16 feet tall. The initial hangar design would have the capacity to stow and service up to five aircraft; however, structural rigging limited the actual biplane capacity to three.

With a wingspan of 26 feet and a length of 19 feet, the Sparrowhawk was powered by a Wright R-975-E3 9-cylinder radial engine, generating 420 horsepower. Its top speed reached 176 mph, with a range of 270 miles. The XF9C-1 was armed with two .30 caliber machine guns and carried a 100-pound bomb under its fuselage. The aircraft’s compact design made it well-suited for its role as an airship-based interceptor.

Despite its promising potential, however, the Sparrowhawk’s career was short-lived. The tragic crash of the USS Akron in 1933, along with the subsequent decommissioning of the USS Macon, ended the operational role of the Curtiss XF9C-1.

The lessons learned from this daring experiment contributed to the evolution of naval aviation and the development of more advanced aircraft carriers.

A top view of a plane on the trapeze being lowered from the airship hangar.

A top view of a plane on the trapeze being lowered from the airship hangar.

CURTISS XF9C-1 SPARROWHAWK SPECIFICATIONS

Role: Airship-based fighter/interceptor

Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright Corp.

Crew: 1 (pilot)

First flight: Nov. 12, 1931

Wingspan: 26 feet

Length/height: 19 feet/10 feet

Empty weight: 2,205 pounds

Max. takeoff weight: 3,226 pounds

Engine: 420-hp Wright R-975-E3 9-cylinder radial engine

Maximum Speed: 176 mph

Range: 270 miles

Ceiling: 22,500 feet

Armament: 2 .30-caliber Browning machine guns

Payload: 1 100-pound bomb

Sources: Wikipedia; MilitaryFactory.com

Note: This is another image from my dad, Paul Smith Maynard, who worked as an engineer in aviation for four decades. Dad began his career in 1943 after graduating from West Virginia University. He started with Curtiss-Wright Corp., a pioneer in making flying machines. He went on to work at North American Aviation and Rockwell International.

See more of his vintage plane pics here.

Curtiss Hawk IV Model 78

by | Nov 8, 2023 | 0 comments

Curtiss Hawk IV Model 78

 In military service, the 1936 Curtiss Hawk IV became a symbol of American military aviation excellence

A 1936 Curtiss Hawk fighter biplane on the runway

1930s Curtiss Hawk biplanes were easily identified by their distinctive gull-wing design, which contributed to their impressive maneuverability and aesthetic appeal. (Photo from the Paul S. Maynard archive)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Curtiss Hawk was a prominent biplane fighter with a two-decade use span, from the end of World War I to the start of World War II, 1918 to 1939. Developed by the American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss, the Hawk series of biplanes gained fame during the 1920s and 1930s for their remarkable agility and combat prowess

The Hawk IV showcased the innovative capabilities of the Curtiss Aircraft Corp. According to ArmedConflicts.com, the 1936 Hawk IV was the last attempt of the company to modernize its best but old series of fighter aircraft, Hawk, which was established in 1924. The Hawk IV was a slightly modified Hawk III, with the engine optimized for greater height, a redesigned back, and a fully covered cabin, whose cover was removable backward.

Because of its advancing age, the Hawk IV was a strange mixture of elements: a manually retracted landing gear and a covered cabin, an all-metal fuselage, and wooden wings.

Walter J. Boyne, a noted aviation historian, praised the Curtiss Hawk IV in his book “The Smithsonian Book of Flight.” Boyne said, “The Curtiss Hawk IV represented a significant leap in fighter aircraft design. It was a clear testament to the engineering prowess of the Curtiss team.”

Boyne’s words underscore the aircraft’s importance in advancing aviation technology.

The Hawk IV featured a streamlined design with distinctive gull wings that set it apart. According to Larry Milberry, an aviation writer in “The Royal Canadian Air Force at War”: “The gull-wing design of the Curtiss Hawk IV not only provided aesthetic appeal but also enhanced its aerodynamic performance.”

Hawk IV Performance

In military service, the Curtiss Hawk IV became a symbol of American military aviation excellence. In “American Combat Planes” by Ray Wagner, the author highlighted its contributions, stating, “The Curtiss Hawk IV was a reliable and robust fighter aircraft that played a significant role in the U.S. Army Air Corps during the interwar years.” This acknowledgment emphasizes the aircraft’s role in shaping the military’s capabilities during that era.

The Hawk IV was powered by a Curtiss Conqueror series radial engine and had impressive speed and performance. While specific engine models varied, the Hawk IV generally delivered a top speed of approximately 220-235 mph, as noted in “The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft” by David Donald. This speed was commendable for its time and contributed to its success in military applications.

Curtiss Hawk IV armament typically included two .30 caliber M1919 Browning machine guns and one .50 caliber M2 Browning machine gun. As described in “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft,” these weapons ensured that the Hawk IV was well-armed for its fighter role.

In summary, the Curtiss Hawk IV, with its innovative design, combat capabilities, and significant role in interwar military aviation, stands as a testament to the achievements of the Curtiss Aircraft Corp. The aircraft’s enduring legacy underscores its impact on the evolution of aviation technology and its role in shaping the history of military aircraft.

Specifications

The Curtiss Hawk IV was a biplane fighter aircraft produced in the 1930s. Although the specific details of individual Hawk IV variants may vary, here are some general specifications for this aircraft:

Crew: 1, pilot

Length: Approximately 23 feet 5 inches

Wingspan: Approximately 31 feet 6 inches

Height: Approximately 9 feet 9 inches

Empty Weight: 3,400 pounds

Max Takeoff Weight: approximately 4,598 pounds

PERFORMANCE

Engine: One radial engine, typically the Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror series.

Power Output: The specific power output could vary depending on the engine model, but it could produce around 600-700 horsepower.

Maximum Speed: Approximately 220-235 mph

Range: Around 375-500 miles

Service Ceiling: About 30,000 feet

Rate of Climb: Varies with engine and specific model but generally around 2,000-2,500 feet per minute.

HAWK IV ARMAMENT

Machine Guns: The Hawk IV was typically armed with two .30 caliber M1919 Browning machine guns and one .50 caliber M2 Browning machine gun, though specific armament configurations could vary.

Note: This is another image from my dad, Paul Smith Maynard, who worked four decades in aviation as an engineer.

Dad began his career in about 1943 after graduating from West Virginia University. He started with Curtiss-Wright Corp., a pioneer in making flying machines. He went on to work at North American Aviation and Rockwell International.

See more of his vintage plane pics here.

Curtiss XP-934: A Bold Experiment

by | Sep 22, 2023 | 0 comments

Curtiss XP-934: A Bold Experiment

 The 1932 XP-934 is based on the Curtiss XP-31 Swift, the airplane maker’s first monoplane fighter

A vintage black and white photo of a 1932 Curtiss XP-934 fighter aircraft

The 1932 Curtiss XP-934 was a bold but failed experiment in aircraft design. Despite its problems, the plane’s engineering helped pave the way for future fighter designs. (Photo from the Paul S. Maynard archive)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Curtiss XP-934 Swift was a bold but failed experiment in World War II aircraft design. Built in 1932, the XP-934 is based on the Curtiss XP-31 Swift, the airplane maker’s first monoplane fighter.

In 1932, the world is still reeling from the Great Depression, but aviation is booming. New aircraft designs are always emerging, and the Army Air Corps is eager to stay ahead of the curve. To seek innovation in aircraft design and manufacturing, the United States Army Air Corps held several competitions in the 1930s to develop new aircraft for the service. In addition to the competitions, the Army Air Corps also worked directly with aircraft manufacturers to develop new aircraft.

The newly formed Curtiss-Wright Corp. was among the makers to join the competition in 1932. The mission was to create an experimental pursuit-attack aircraft.

Pursuit aircraft became vital for their nimbleness for such duty missions as dive-bombing troops on the ground, escorting bombers to their targets in enemy territory, taking reconnaissance imagery, and clearing the airspace of opposing aircraft.

The Curtiss-Wright entry, designated XP-934 by the Army, is the first enclosed cockpit fighter aircraft for the USAAC. It was also one of the last pursuit aircraft with fixed landing gear and externally braced wings.

Why the XP-934 Failed

For the USAAC competition, Curtiss proposed a radical design that featured a low-wing monoplane configuration with a retractable landing gear. The XP-934 was powered by a 700-horsepower Wright XR-1510 Cyclone radial engine, giving the plane a top speed of more than 200 mph.

After the Curtiss XP-934’s first flight on July 25, 1932, however, it was immediately apparent that the aircraft was underpowered and overweight. The single-seat fighter weighed around 850 pounds and carried 125 gallons of fuel, four .30 caliber machine guns, and ammunition. The retractable landing gear also proved to be problematic, and it was eventually removed.

However, according to a report on Aviatar.org, the sole airframe was re-engined with a 447kW Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror V-12 powerplant. In 1933 flight tests, the V-12 offered no improvement.

The Curtiss XP-934 is never ordered into production. Despite its problems, however, the XP-934 was a significant aircraft in aviation history. It was the first enclosed cockpit fighter aircraft for the USAAC, and it helped to pave the way for future fighter designs.

Curtiss XP-934 Specifications

Crew: 1

Length: 23 feet 9 inches

Wingspan: 35 feet 3 inches

Height: 8 feet 10 inches

Wing area: 226 square feet

Empty weight: 3,334 pounds

Gross weight: 4,143 pounds

Powerplant: 1 700 hp Wright XR-1510 Cyclone 9-cylinder radial engine

Performance

Maximum speed: 215 mph

Initial climb rate: 2,130 feet per minute

Service ceiling: 22,700 feet

Range: 396 miles

Armament

4 .30 caliber machine guns

Source: Wikipedia

Note: This is another image from my dad, Paul Smith Maynard, who worked four decades in aviation as an engineer. Dad began his career in about 1943 after graduating from West Virginia University. He started with Curtiss-Wright Corp., a pioneer in making flying machines. He went on to work at North American Aviation and Rockwell International.

See more of his vintage plane pics here.

1930 Curtiss-Wright Kingbird Model 55

by | Jul 18, 2023 | 0 comments

1930 Curtiss-Wright Kingbird Model 55

Though praised for its handling and performance, the 7-passenger Curtiss-Wright Kingbird airliner was not a commercial success and was pulled from production in 1934

A black and white image of a 1930 Curtiss Wright KIngbird

The 1930 Curtiss Kingbird Model 55 was powered by two Wright J-6-9 Whirlwind nine-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, each producing 300 horsepower. (Photo from the Paul S. Maynard archive)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Curtiss-Wright Kingbird was a short-lived U.S. airliner built in small numbers in the early 1930s. The twin-engine Kingbird was a well-liked aircraft by its operators and was praised for its good handling and performance. However, it was not a commercial success and was withdrawn from production in 1934. The Kingbird was replaced by the Curtiss-Wright Condor, a larger and more powerful airliner.

According to the plane’s page in Wikipedia,  the Kingbird was a twin-engine evolution of the single-engine Curtiss Thrush. It shared a similar fuselage but with two engine nacelles mounted on the struts on either side of the fuselage. The Kingbird had a blunt nose behind the propeller arcs, allowing the engines to be mounted closer together. The engines were positioned closer to the plane’s centerline to minimize asymmetrical thrust in the event of engine failure.

The Kingbird was powered by two Wright J-6-9 Whirlwind nine-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, each producing 300 horsepower. It had a maximum speed of 175 miles per hour and a range of 600 miles. The Kingbird could carry a crew of one and seven passengers.

The Kingbird was first flown in 1930 and was certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1931. Curtiss-Wright built a total of 25 Kingbirds between 1931 and 1934. The airliner was used by a number of airlines, including Eastern Air Lines, Transcontinental Air Transport, and Western Air Express.

Curtiss Kingbird Factoids

  • The Kingbird was named after the Eastern Kingbird, a small bird known for its aggressive behavior;
  • The Curtiss Kingbird was the first airliner equipped with a radio altimeter;
  • The U.S. Army Air Corps used the Kingbird as a training aircraft.

Curtiss-Wright Kingbird Specifications

Crew: 1

Capacity: 7 passengers

Length: 34 feet, 5.125 inches

Wingspan: 54 feet, 6 inches

Height: 10 feet, 0 inches

Wing area: 405 square feet

Empty weight: 3,877 pounds

Gross weight: 6,115 pounds

Powerplant: 2 × Wright J-6-9 Whirlwind 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 300 horsepower each

Maximum speed: 175 miles per hour

Range: 600 miles

NOTE: This is another image from my dad, Paul Smith Maynard, who worked four decades in aviation as an engineer. Dad began his career in about 1943 after graduating from West Virginia University. He started with Curtiss-Wright Corp., a pioneer in making flying machines. He went on to work at North American Aviation and Rockwell International. See more of his vintage plane pics here.

1945 Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

by | Feb 24, 2023 | 0 comments

1945 Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver had nicknames of “Son of a Bitch Second Class,” the “Beast,” and worse by many a pilot

A black and white image of a 1945 Curtiss Helldiver shot from below while the plane was in flight.

By the end of the Pacific theater during World War II, the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver had become the main dive bomber and attack aircraft on USN carriers. But problems with its development delayed its introduction and saddled it with a bad reputation. (Photo from the Paul S. Maynard archive)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver sent Japanese warships to the bottom of the ocean. It pulverized fortifications on Japan’s home islands. And the Helldiver left a trail of wreckage in its wake, yet, it was a less-than-stellar performer built by an aircraft company in decline.

According to a report by Robert F. Dorr in WarfareHistoryNetwork.com, its design was a recipe for trouble.

It was a round, blue tube squatting on a tiny tailwheel carrying a pilot and radioman-gunner in tandem behind a 1,900-horsepower Wright R-2600 radial engine, he wrote.

With a wingspan of 49 feet, 9 inches, the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver had nicknames of “Son of a Bitch Second Class,” the “Beast,” and worse by many a pilot, Dorr wrote. However, “the plane was neither as bad as its critics said nor as good as its manufacturer hoped.”

Bad Reputation

“The Helldiver’s career began with problems. The prototype XSB2C-1 made its maiden flight on December 18, 1940, but it was destroyed just days later.

Curtiss rebuilt the aircraft and flew it again in October 1941, but it crashed a second time after a month. After production moved to Columbus, Ohio, from Buffalo, New York, the first production Helldiver flew in June 1942.”

The Columbus plant would go on to build more than 5,000 Helldivers. Only a few survivors exist. In the Battle of the Philippine Sea, 45 Helldivers, most of which had been launched from extreme range, were lost when they ran out of fuel while returning to their carriers, according to the Helldiver’s Wikipedia page

Stability and Structural Issues

From the start, the blue warplane garnered a reputation for poor stability, structural flaws, and poor handling, wrote Dorr in WarfareHistoryNetwork.com.

“Britain rejected the Helldiver after receiving 26 examples. Lengthening the fuselage by one foot and redesigning the fin fixed the aerodynamic problems.

“The stability and structural issues were exaggerated — yet more than one Helldiver broke in half when making a hard tailhook landing on a wooden carrier deck.

“The Helldiver offered an internal bomb bay that could accommodate a 1,000-pound bomb and be closed by hydraulically operated doors,” wrote Dorr. “Hardpoints under the wings accommodated additional ordnance.”

“Perhaps the most important change came with an improved propeller. After a 12-foot Curtiss Electric three-blade prop proved inadequate, a four-blade propeller from the same manufacturer with the same diameter and with root cuffs was introduced with the SB2C-3 model.”

By this time, Curtiss had smoothed out nearly all imperfections in the design, Dorr wrote. The next-generation SB2C-4 followed, introducing “cheese grate” upper and lower wing flaps perforated like a sieve; they enhanced stability.

By the war’s end, technological advancements allowed other aircraft to deliver an equal or greater bombload with comparable accuracy, eliminating the need for a specialized dive bomber. Thus, the SB2C Helldiver was the last dive bomber in the Navy’s inventory.

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Specifications

Crew: 2

Length: 36 feet 8 inches

Wing span: 49 feet 9 inches

Wing area: 422 square feet

Empty weight: 10,547 pounds

Number built: 7,140

Gross weight: 16,616 pounds

PERFORMANCE

Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-2600-20 Twin Cyclone 14-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 1,900 hp

Propellers: 1 4-blade constant-speed prop

Maximum speed: 295 mph at 16,700 feet

Cruise speed: 158 mph

Combat range: 1,165 miles with 1,000-pound bombload

Service ceiling: 29,100 feet

Rate of climb: 1,800 feet per minute

ARMAMENT

Guns: 2 × 20mm (0.787 inch) AN/M2 cannon in the wings; 2 × 0.30 inch (7.6mm) M1919 Browning machine guns in the rear cockpit; 4 X 0.50 inch (13mm) M2 Browning machine guns, two each in gunpods mounted on underwing hardpoints

Rockets: 8 5-inch high-velocity aircraft rockets

Bombs:  2,000 pounds in the internal bay, or 1 Mark 13-2 torpedo on underwing hardpoints: 500 pounds of bombs each

*Specs from Wikipedia

NOTE: This is another image from my dad, Paul Smith Maynard, who worked four decades in aviation as an engineer. Dad began his career in about 1943 after graduating from West Virginia University. He started with Curtiss-Wright Corp., an early pioneer in making flying machines. He went on to work at North American Aviation and Rockwell International.

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

by | Feb 8, 2023 | 0 comments

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

The 1944 Curtiss P-40 was conceived as a pursuit aircraft and was agile at low and medium altitudes but suffered from a lack of power at higher altitudes

A 1944 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter plane

The most famous Curtiss P-40 Warhawk unit was undoubtedly the American Volunteer Group, better known as the ‘Flying Tigers,’ who had great success flying the plane in China and Burma in early 1942. (Photo from the Paul S. Maynard archive)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The single-seat Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was obsolete when it was drafted for service at the start of World War II. But it was the best fighter that the United States had available in large numbers, according to a report at the Museum of Flight. Despite continued improvements, the P-40 never equaled the capabilities of its German or Japanese adversaries. But it had one priceless advantage, “It was available and being efficiently mass-produced when needed most.”

The solid and reliable Warhawk was an effective weapon when its strengths were leveraged: diving passes and rapid departure without engaging in a turning dogfight with more agile opponents.

According to Airplane-Online.com, the P-40 was a descendant of the “Hawk” line produced by the Curtiss-Wright Aircraft Corp. in the 1930s and 1940s. It shared certain design elements with its predecessors, the Hawk and Sparrowhawk.

The all-metal fighter was first flown in 1938, and the P-40 was kept in production until 1944. The P-40 was the third most-produced American fighter, after the P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt.

Warhawk in Wartime

With its six .50-caliber Browning machine guns and a 700-pound bombload (one 500-pound and two 100-pound bombs), the P-40 served in all theaters of operation. The U.S., Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Free French, South Africa, and Russia flew the Curtiss fighter.

“The British called it the Tomahawk (B and C models) and Kittyhawk (D and E models). The F through R versions were known as Warhawks in U.S. service. The N model had decreased fuel capacity and increased armor, along with other minor system changes, relative to its predecessors.

“The most famous P-40 unit was undoubtedly the American Volunteer Group, better known as the ‘Flying Tigers.’ Painted with a shark-mouth face, the P40 had great success flying the plane in China and Burma in early 1942.

In the hands of a skilled pilot, the P-40 could exceed its limitations and out-maneuver and out-fight anything in the sky, Flying Tiger ace David L. “Tex” Hill said in 2005 interview for DefenseMediaNetwork.com.

“It was sturdy and handled well, except in a spin, but you never piloted a P-40 without wishing you had something a little better,” Hill said.

P-40 at Pearl Harbor

P-40s engaged Japanese aircraft at Pearl Harbor and in the Philippines in December 1941. They also served in North Africa in 1943 with the 99th Fighter Squadron, the first African American U.S. fighter unit.

Though often slower and less maneuverable than its adversaries, the P-40 Warhawk earned a reputation in battle for extreme ruggedness. It served throughout the war but was eclipsed by more capable aircraft.

More than 13,738 P-40 fighters were built from 1939-1944 at the Curtiss plant in Buffalo, Ny.

NOTE: This is another image from my dad, Paul Smith Maynard, who worked four decades in aviation as an engineer. Dad began his career in about 1943 after graduating from West Virginia University. He started with the Curtiss-Wright Corp., an early pioneer in making flying machines. He went on to work at North American Aviation and Rockwell International.

See more of his vintage plane pics here.