Curtiss Falcon
Encyclopedia
The Curtiss Falcon is a family of military biplane
aircraft built by the United States
aircraft manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
during the 1920s. Most saw service as part of the United States Army Air Corps
as observation aircraft with the designations O-1 and O-11, or as the attack aircraft designated the A-3 Falcon.
U.S. Navy
variants were used initially as fighter-bombers with the designation F8C Falcon, then as the first U.S. Marine Corps
dive bomber
s with the name Helldiver. Two later generations of Curtiss dive-bombers would also be named Helldiver.
The type was introduced in 1925 and saw first-line service in the United States until 1934. Curtiss Falcons fought in the Constitutional Revolution
of 1932 in Brazil
, used by the forces of São Paulo
.
was evaluated by the USAAC along with eleven other prototypes in 1924 and the Douglas XO-2
was declared the winner of that competition. So Curtiss re-engined the prototype with the Packard 1A-1500 for the 1925 trials, which it won. The engine failed to live up to expectations and the O-1 ordered by the Army was fitted with the 435 hp (324 kW) Curtiss V-1150 (D-12) engine.
The aircraft was a conventional unequal-span biplane design with wooden wings, while the fuselage
was built using aluminum tubing with steel tie-rod bracing. The landing gear
was fixed and the tail
included a balanced rudder
with a rear skid originally, later changed to a tailwheel.
The initial A-3 Falcon order was placed in the winter of 1927 and delivery of the first plane was in October 1927. A total of 76 A-3s were received. Later, six aircraft were modified as pilot trainers with dual controls and redesignated A-3A. A second batch of 78 improved A-3Bs, based on the Curtiss O-1E, were purchased beginning in 1929.
, 5th and 99th Observation Squadrons of the 9th Observation Group, Mitchel Field, New York
. The A-3 Attack Falcon saw considerable use, in front-line service with the 8th, 13th and 19th Attack Squadrons of the 3rd Attack Group, Barksdale Field
, Louisiana
, and the 26th Attack Squadron in Hawaii
from 1928 to 1934 and with reserve units until 1937.
The U.S. Navy introduced the F8C-1 and F8C-3 Falcon as a shipboard fighter in 1927-1928. They were later redesignated OC-1 and OC-2 for Marine Corps use as an observation/bomber. The F8C-4 Helldiver variant initially saw service with the Navy, and the first production batch of 25 was transferred in 1931 to the Marine Corps. A total of 34 F8Cs redesignated as O2C-1 observation aircraft were also transferred to the Naval Reserve in 1931, serving with squadrons VN-10RD9, VN-11RD9, and VN-12RD9. Most of the 63 newer F8C-5/O2C-1 Helldivers also served with the Marines, remaining in service until 1936. The type was featured in a number of Hollywood films: Flight (1929), Hell Divers
(1931) and King Kong
(1933).
Curtiss Falcon aircraft fought during the Brazil
Constitutionalist Revolution
of 1932, under the flag of São Paulo
. In Bolivia
, the aircraft type also fought in the Chaco War
(1932–1935), bombing Paraguay
an troopers. The Colombian Air Force
used Falcon F-8 and O-1 in the Colombia-Peru War
in 1932-3.
A-3A: Six A-3s converted into trainers.
A-3B: Model 37H, attack version of O-1E, with six machine guns, including two mounted in wings; 78 built.
XA-4: One A-3 with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-1
Wasp radial piston engine. Scrapped in March 1932, but the design was the basis for the naval variants.
A-5: Proposed A-3 variant with Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror
engine
A-6: Proposed A-3 variant with Curtiss H-1640 Chieftain
engine
XO-1:Liberty 12A powered Prototype, later modified to use a Packard 1A-1500, one built.
O-1: Model 37A, two-seat observation aircraft, the first production model, 10 built. One converted into the O-1 Special VIP transport.
O-1A: Two-seat observation aircraft, powered by the Liberty piston engine, one built.
O-1B: Model 37B, first major production version, powered by Curtiss D-12D (V-1150-3) engine; 45 ordered, 25 built and 20 diverted on the production line to the A-3.
O-1C: Four O-1Bs converted into VIP transports.
O-1E: Model 37I, variant powered by 324 kW (435-hp) Curtiss D-12E (V-1150-5) piston engine; 41 built.
O-1F: Model 37J, one O-1E converted into VIP transport.
O-1G: Model 38, final O-1 variant, powered by a 712 hp Wright R-1820F-2 Cyclone
engine; 30 built for USAAC.
XO-11: Two O-1 modified as O-11 prototypes.
O-11: O-1 airframe powered by the Liberty V-1650 piston engine; 67 built concurrently with the O-1s.
XO-12: One XO-11 prototype redesignated XO-12.
XO-13: O-1 fitted with 720 hp Conqueror engine for the 1927 National Air Races
.
XO-13A: Second XO-13, fitted with wing skin radiators.
O-13B: One O-1C fitted with a Conqueror engine, tested as an observation aircraft, and provided to Secretary of War.
YO-13C: Three O-1Es re-engined with 600 hp direct-drive Conqueror engines.
YO-13D: One O-11 fitted with supercharged Conqueror engine.
XO-16: One O-11 with Prestone cooling system.
XO-18: One O-1B testbed for Curtiss H-1640 Chieftain engine.
Y1O-26: One O-1E fitted with a geared Conqueror engine.
O-39: O-1G refitted with a Conqueror engine and cockpit canopy; 10 built.
A-4 Helldiver: Civil version of XF8C-8 for use by Assistant Secretary of Navy David Ingalls. Later redesignated XF8C-7.
XF8C-1: Model 37C variant developed from XO-12; two built for the U.S. Navy.
F8C-1 Falcon: Model 37C powered by the 420 hp (313 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial piston engine; four built in 1928 for the U.S. Marine Corps
as light bombers, fighters and observation aircraft, later redesignated OC-1.
XF8C-2: Model 49, one prototype for F8C Helldiver. Original crashed on first factory flight and was replaced by Curtiss with a second bearing identical sn.
F8C-3 Falcon: Second production batch of Navy Falcons; 21 built for USN/USMC in 1928, later redesignated OC-2.
XF8C-4: Second Helldiver prototype, modified tail skid assembly.
F8C-4 Helldiver: Model 49B, production dive-bomber variant for the USN/USMC; 25 built, later designated O2C.
F8C-5 Helldiver: Model 49B with ring cowling; 63 built in 1930–31, later designated O2C-1.
XF8C-6: Two F8C-5s modified with superchargers, slats, and wing flaps; one later modified as O2C-2.
XF8C-7: Redesignation of A-4 Helldiver, later redesignated XO2C-2.
XF8C-8: Two prototypes built with canopy-enclosed front cockpit, later redesignated O2C-2.
O2C-1 Helldiver: Redesignation of 63 F8C-5; 30 production O2C-1s in 1931.
O2C-2 Helldiver: Redesignation of XF8C-8s and one XF8C-6.
XOC-3: One XF8C-1 prototype fitted with a Chieftain engine.
XBT-4: Model 46, one O-1E converted into a basic trainer for the USAAC.
XF10C-1:O2C-2 re-engined with a R-1510 engine, also temporary designated XS3C-1.
; Liberty Mailplane, 14 single-seat mailplanes, powered by a Liberty piston engines, sold to National Air Transport
.
Export Falcon: 16 twin-float O-1Bs sold to Colombia
.
South American D-12 Falcon: One seaplane version of the O-1B was sold to Columbia, followed by an order for 15 more. Another 10 Model 35Fs were sold to Peru
.
Colombia Cyclone Falcon: Model 37F fitted with the 712 hp (531 kW) Wright Cyclone
radial piston engine. 100 built for Colombia.
Chilean Falcon: O-1E design built under license in Chile
, 10 later sold to Brazil
. One example ended up in Paraguay as passage fee for the remaining aircraft. It operated mostly as a VIP transport, but made at last one reconnaissance flight over the Chaco war fields armed with two 7.7mm MG from a Potez.
Bolivia Cyclone Falcon: Similar to Colombian Falcon, it was fitted with the 712 hp (531 kW) Wright Cyclone
SR-1820F-2 radial piston engine. A total of nine were built for Bolivia in some odd variants from the Colombian ones. Bolivian Cyclone Falcons mounted one frontal .30 MG and most also one rear .30 MG instead of the two wing-mounted ones. Two had semi-cockpit canopies over pilots cockpit;two2 had windscreens instead of canopy in both cockpits, these two had no ring mount for rear MG.
Peru
United States
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
aircraft built by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
aircraft manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company was an American aircraft manufacturer that went public in 1916 with Glenn Hammond Curtiss as president. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the company was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the United States...
during the 1920s. Most saw service as part of the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
as observation aircraft with the designations O-1 and O-11, or as the attack aircraft designated the A-3 Falcon.
U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
variants were used initially as fighter-bombers with the designation F8C Falcon, then as the first U.S. Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
dive bomber
Dive bomber
A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy for the bomb it drops. Diving towards the target reduces the distance the bomb has to fall, which is the primary factor in determining the accuracy of the drop...
s with the name Helldiver. Two later generations of Curtiss dive-bombers would also be named Helldiver.
The type was introduced in 1925 and saw first-line service in the United States until 1934. Curtiss Falcons fought in the Constitutional Revolution
Constitutionalist Revolution
The Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932 is the name given to the uprising of the population of the Brazilian state of São Paulo against the 1930 coup d'état whereby Getúlio Vargas assumed the nation's Presidency; Vargas was supported by the military and the political elites of Minas Gerais, Rio...
of 1932 in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, used by the forces of São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
.
Design and development
The Falcon XO-1 prototypePrototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
was evaluated by the USAAC along with eleven other prototypes in 1924 and the Douglas XO-2
Douglas O-2
The Douglas O-2 is a 1920s American observation aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company.-Development:The important family of Douglas observation aircraft sprang from two XO-2 prototypes, the first of which was powered by the 420 hp Liberty V-1650-1 V-engine and test-flown in the autumn...
was declared the winner of that competition. So Curtiss re-engined the prototype with the Packard 1A-1500 for the 1925 trials, which it won. The engine failed to live up to expectations and the O-1 ordered by the Army was fitted with the 435 hp (324 kW) Curtiss V-1150 (D-12) engine.
The aircraft was a conventional unequal-span biplane design with wooden wings, while the fuselage
Fuselage
The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. In single-engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, although in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselage which in turn is used as a floating hull...
was built using aluminum tubing with steel tie-rod bracing. The landing gear
Landing Gear
Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
was fixed and the tail
Empennage
The empennage , also known as the tail or tail assembly, of most aircraft gives stability to the aircraft, in a similar way to the feathers on an arrow...
included a balanced rudder
Balanced rudder
The balanced rudder was an innovation in warship construction used as early as 1862 in the USS Monitor, one of the Union's first ironclads during the American Civil War...
with a rear skid originally, later changed to a tailwheel.
The initial A-3 Falcon order was placed in the winter of 1927 and delivery of the first plane was in October 1927. A total of 76 A-3s were received. Later, six aircraft were modified as pilot trainers with dual controls and redesignated A-3A. A second batch of 78 improved A-3Bs, based on the Curtiss O-1E, were purchased beginning in 1929.
Operational history
Reasonably successful as an observation aircraft, Falcons flew primarily in the 1st1st Reconnaissance Squadron
The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron is a United States Air Force reconnaissance training unit based at Beale Air Force Base, near Marysville, California. It is the oldest squadron in the Air Force, and the first organization to be established as a U.S. military flying unit...
, 5th and 99th Observation Squadrons of the 9th Observation Group, Mitchel Field, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The A-3 Attack Falcon saw considerable use, in front-line service with the 8th, 13th and 19th Attack Squadrons of the 3rd Attack Group, Barksdale Field
Barksdale Air Force Base
Barksdale Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately east-southeast of Bossier City, Louisiana.The host unit at Barksdale is the 2d Bomb Wing , the oldest Bomb Wing in the Air Force. It is assigned to the Air Force Global Strike Command's Eighth Air Force...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, and the 26th Attack Squadron in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
from 1928 to 1934 and with reserve units until 1937.
The U.S. Navy introduced the F8C-1 and F8C-3 Falcon as a shipboard fighter in 1927-1928. They were later redesignated OC-1 and OC-2 for Marine Corps use as an observation/bomber. The F8C-4 Helldiver variant initially saw service with the Navy, and the first production batch of 25 was transferred in 1931 to the Marine Corps. A total of 34 F8Cs redesignated as O2C-1 observation aircraft were also transferred to the Naval Reserve in 1931, serving with squadrons VN-10RD9, VN-11RD9, and VN-12RD9. Most of the 63 newer F8C-5/O2C-1 Helldivers also served with the Marines, remaining in service until 1936. The type was featured in a number of Hollywood films: Flight (1929), Hell Divers
Hell Divers
Hell Divers is a 1931 movie starring Wallace Beery and Clark Gable as a pair of competing chief petty officers on board the USS Saratoga...
(1931) and King Kong
King Kong (1933 film)
King Kong is a Pre-Code 1933 fantasy monster adventure film co-directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, and written by Ruth Rose and James Ashmore Creelman after a story by Cooper and Edgar Wallace. The film tells of a gigantic island-dwelling apeman creature called Kong who dies in...
(1933).
Curtiss Falcon aircraft fought during the Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
Constitutionalist Revolution
Constitutionalist Revolution
The Constitutionalist Revolution of 1932 is the name given to the uprising of the population of the Brazilian state of São Paulo against the 1930 coup d'état whereby Getúlio Vargas assumed the nation's Presidency; Vargas was supported by the military and the political elites of Minas Gerais, Rio...
of 1932, under the flag of São Paulo
São Paulo (state)
São Paulo is a state in Brazil. It is the major industrial and economic powerhouse of the Brazilian economy. Named after Saint Paul, São Paulo has the largest population, industrial complex, and economic production in the country. It is the richest state in Brazil...
. In Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, the aircraft type also fought in the Chaco War
Chaco War
The Chaco War was fought between Bolivia and Paraguay over control of the northern part of the Gran Chaco region of South America, which was incorrectly thought to be rich in oil. It is also referred to as La Guerra de la Sed in literary circles for being fought in the semi-arid Chaco...
(1932–1935), bombing Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
an troopers. The Colombian Air Force
Colombian Air Force
The Colombian Air Force or FAC is the Air Force of the Republic of Colombia.The Colombian Air Force is one of the three institutions of the Armed Forces of Colombia, charge according to the 1991 Constitution of the work to exercise and maintain control of Colombia's airspace to defend the...
used Falcon F-8 and O-1 in the Colombia-Peru War
Colombia-Peru War
The Colombia–Peru War was an armed conflict between the Republic of Colombia and the Republic of Peru.-Civilian takeover:...
in 1932-3.
U.S. Army Air Corps
A-3: Model 44, attack aircraft version of O-1B, armed with two 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns and 200 lb (91 kg) of bombs; 76 built for the USAAC, including 20 diverted from original O-1B contract order.A-3A: Six A-3s converted into trainers.
A-3B: Model 37H, attack version of O-1E, with six machine guns, including two mounted in wings; 78 built.
XA-4: One A-3 with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340-1
Pratt & Whitney R-1340
|-See also:* Pratt & Whitney Wasp series* Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior* Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior* Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp-Bibliography:...
Wasp radial piston engine. Scrapped in March 1932, but the design was the basis for the naval variants.
A-5: Proposed A-3 variant with Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror
Curtiss V-1570
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:...
engine
A-6: Proposed A-3 variant with Curtiss H-1640 Chieftain
Curtiss H-1640
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
engine
XO-1:Liberty 12A powered Prototype, later modified to use a Packard 1A-1500, one built.
O-1: Model 37A, two-seat observation aircraft, the first production model, 10 built. One converted into the O-1 Special VIP transport.
O-1A: Two-seat observation aircraft, powered by the Liberty piston engine, one built.
O-1B: Model 37B, first major production version, powered by Curtiss D-12D (V-1150-3) engine; 45 ordered, 25 built and 20 diverted on the production line to the A-3.
O-1C: Four O-1Bs converted into VIP transports.
O-1E: Model 37I, variant powered by 324 kW (435-hp) Curtiss D-12E (V-1150-5) piston engine; 41 built.
O-1G: Model 38, final O-1 variant, powered by a 712 hp Wright R-1820F-2 Cyclone
Wright R-1820
|-See also:-References:* Bridgman, L, Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7* Eden, Paul & Soph Moeng, The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152...
engine; 30 built for USAAC.
XO-11: Two O-1 modified as O-11 prototypes.
O-11: O-1 airframe powered by the Liberty V-1650 piston engine; 67 built concurrently with the O-1s.
XO-12: One XO-11 prototype redesignated XO-12.
XO-13: O-1 fitted with 720 hp Conqueror engine for the 1927 National Air Races
National Air Races
The National Air Races were a series of pylon and cross-country races that took place in the United States from 1920 to 1949. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew rapidly during this period; the National Air Races were both a proving ground and...
.
XO-13A: Second XO-13, fitted with wing skin radiators.
O-13B: One O-1C fitted with a Conqueror engine, tested as an observation aircraft, and provided to Secretary of War.
YO-13C: Three O-1Es re-engined with 600 hp direct-drive Conqueror engines.
YO-13D: One O-11 fitted with supercharged Conqueror engine.
XO-16: One O-11 with Prestone cooling system.
XO-18: One O-1B testbed for Curtiss H-1640 Chieftain engine.
Y1O-26: One O-1E fitted with a geared Conqueror engine.
O-39: O-1G refitted with a Conqueror engine and cockpit canopy; 10 built.
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps
A-3 Helldiver: Registry name of XF8C-8, not adopted by USN.A-4 Helldiver: Civil version of XF8C-8 for use by Assistant Secretary of Navy David Ingalls. Later redesignated XF8C-7.
XF8C-1: Model 37C variant developed from XO-12; two built for the U.S. Navy.
F8C-1 Falcon: Model 37C powered by the 420 hp (313 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial piston engine; four built in 1928 for the U.S. Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
as light bombers, fighters and observation aircraft, later redesignated OC-1.
XF8C-2: Model 49, one prototype for F8C Helldiver. Original crashed on first factory flight and was replaced by Curtiss with a second bearing identical sn.
F8C-3 Falcon: Second production batch of Navy Falcons; 21 built for USN/USMC in 1928, later redesignated OC-2.
XF8C-4: Second Helldiver prototype, modified tail skid assembly.
F8C-4 Helldiver: Model 49B, production dive-bomber variant for the USN/USMC; 25 built, later designated O2C.
F8C-5 Helldiver: Model 49B with ring cowling; 63 built in 1930–31, later designated O2C-1.
XF8C-6: Two F8C-5s modified with superchargers, slats, and wing flaps; one later modified as O2C-2.
XF8C-7: Redesignation of A-4 Helldiver, later redesignated XO2C-2.
XF8C-8: Two prototypes built with canopy-enclosed front cockpit, later redesignated O2C-2.
O2C-1 Helldiver: Redesignation of 63 F8C-5; 30 production O2C-1s in 1931.
O2C-2 Helldiver: Redesignation of XF8C-8s and one XF8C-6.
XOC-3: One XF8C-1 prototype fitted with a Chieftain engine.
XBT-4: Model 46, one O-1E converted into a basic trainer for the USAAC.
XF10C-1:O2C-2 re-engined with a R-1510 engine, also temporary designated XS3C-1.
Civil and export
Civil Falcon: 20 civil versions: Conqueror Mail plane; D-12 Mailplane; Lindbergh Special, sold to Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
; Liberty Mailplane, 14 single-seat mailplanes, powered by a Liberty piston engines, sold to National Air Transport
National Air Transport
National Air Transport was a large airline. In 1930 it was bought by Boeing. The Air Mail Act of 1934 prohibited airlines and manufacturers from being under the same corporate umbrella, so Boeing split into 3 smaller companies, one of which is United Airlines, and it is this that included what had...
.
Export Falcon: 16 twin-float O-1Bs sold to Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
.
South American D-12 Falcon: One seaplane version of the O-1B was sold to Columbia, followed by an order for 15 more. Another 10 Model 35Fs were sold to Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
.
Colombia Cyclone Falcon: Model 37F fitted with the 712 hp (531 kW) Wright Cyclone
Wright Cyclone
Wright Cyclone was the name given to a family of air-cooled radial piston engines designed by Curtiss-Wright and used in numerous American aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s.-Background:...
radial piston engine. 100 built for Colombia.
Chilean Falcon: O-1E design built under license in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, 10 later sold to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. One example ended up in Paraguay as passage fee for the remaining aircraft. It operated mostly as a VIP transport, but made at last one reconnaissance flight over the Chaco war fields armed with two 7.7mm MG from a Potez.
Bolivia Cyclone Falcon: Similar to Colombian Falcon, it was fitted with the 712 hp (531 kW) Wright Cyclone
Wright Cyclone
Wright Cyclone was the name given to a family of air-cooled radial piston engines designed by Curtiss-Wright and used in numerous American aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s.-Background:...
SR-1820F-2 radial piston engine. A total of nine were built for Bolivia in some odd variants from the Colombian ones. Bolivian Cyclone Falcons mounted one frontal .30 MG and most also one rear .30 MG instead of the two wing-mounted ones. Two had semi-cockpit canopies over pilots cockpit;two2 had windscreens instead of canopy in both cockpits, these two had no ring mount for rear MG.
Military operators
- Bolivian Air ForceBolivian Air ForceThe Bolivian Air Force is part of the Military of Bolivia.-History:By 1938 the Bolivian air force consisted of about 60 aircraft , and about 300 staff; the officers were...
- Brazilian Air ForceBrazilian Air ForceThe Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branch were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces"...
- Chilean Air ForceChilean Air ForceThe Chilean Air Force is the air force of Chile, a branch of the Chilean military.-History:The first step towards the current FACh was taken by Teniente Coronel Pedro Pablo Dartnell, when he founded the Servicio de Aviación Militar de Chile on December 20, 1910, being trained as a pilot in France...
- Colombian Air ForceColombian Air ForceThe Colombian Air Force or FAC is the Air Force of the Republic of Colombia.The Colombian Air Force is one of the three institutions of the Armed Forces of Colombia, charge according to the 1991 Constitution of the work to exercise and maintain control of Colombia's airspace to defend the...
- Paraguayan Air Force
Peru
- Peruvian Air ForcePeruvian Air ForceThe Peruvian Air Force is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of air power...
- Philippine Army Air CorpsPhilippine Army Air CorpsThe Philippine Army Air Corps was created by the Philippine National Assembly's National Defense Act of 1935. By 1940, the corps had around 40 aircraft and 100 pilots, 500 personnel, and six squadrons...
United States
- United States Army Air CorpsUnited States Army Air CorpsThe United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
- United States Marines
- United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Specifications Model 37H (A-3B)
See also
External links
- Curtiss A-3 fact sheet on National Museum of the USAF website
- Curtiss A-3B fact sheet on National Museum of the USAF website
- Curtiss Falcons History and specifications from the reference book American Combat Planes of the 20th Century by Ray Wagner
- "The West Point Of The Air"" Popular Mechanics, June 1930—photos pages 936 (middle), 939 (top) and 940 (bottom)