The eclipse of the biplanes |
Curtiss BF2C-1 1937 The US Navy and Curtiss felt the F11C-2 possessed development potential. The Navy decided to procure a variant with retractable-landing gear and a metal-framed upper wing. This variant was designated XF11C-3 by the Navy and Model 67A by Curtiss. The gear retraction system was inspired by the Grumman XFF-1 prototype, and was manually operated. The XF11C-3 was delivered to the USN in May 1933, with a Wright R-1820-80 radial engine rated at 700 HP (522 kW). Trials revealed a 17 mph (27.5 km/h) increase in speed over the F11C-2, and the extra weight caused a decrease in manoverablity. The Navy felt the poor handling was more than offset by the increase in speed. The XF11C-3 was redesignated XBF2C-1 in keeping with the new Bomber-Fighter category. Twenty-Seven BF2C-1 were ordered by the US Navy, with a raised rear turtledeck, a semi-enclosed cockpit, and a metal-framed lower wing. It was armed with two Browning machine guns and three hardpoints for 500 lbs (227 kg) of external stores. Delivered in October 1934 they were assigned to VB-5 on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger CV-4, but served only a few months before difficulties with the landing gear led to their withdrawal. In spite of its short service run many of the innovations developed for the Goshawk line found wide use in Navy aircraft for years to follow. They were the last Curtiss fighter accepted for service with the U.S. Navy. Crew: one, pilot Length: 24 ft 4 in (7.41 m) Wingspan: 31 ft 6 in (9.6 m) Height: 9 ft 11.5 in (3.03 m) Wing area: 262 ft² (24.34 m²) Empty weight: 3,326 lb (1,509 kg) Max takeoff weight: 4,552 lb (2,065 kg) Powerplant: 1× Wright R-1820-04 "Cyclone" air-cooled radial engine, 770 hp (574 kW) Maximum speed: 225 mph (362 km/h) Cruise speed: 157 mph (253 km/h) Range: 725 mi (1,167 km) Service ceiling: 27,000 ft (8,230 m) Rate of climb: 2,150 ft/min (655 m/s) Armament 2 × .30 cal (7.62 mm) Browning machine guns, 500 lbs (227 kg) of droppable stores USN 91 René Hieronymus Scale 1:72 Building time: approx. 26 hrs.
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