Curtiss A-8 Shrike
Curtiss-Wright · United States · first flew 1931 · fighter
The Curtiss A-8 Shrike was a single-seat monoplane ground attack aircraft operated by the US Army Air Corps in the early 1930s, notable for using a liquid-cooled Curtiss Conqueror V-12 engine in an era when radials predominated in attack types.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.75 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1930s Army attack monoplane with liquid-cooled engine
- Curtiss Conqueror V-12 engine in long nose cowling
- Fixed undercarriage with large fairings, open cockpit
A low-wing monoplane with a distinctively long nose housing a liquid-cooled V-12 engine, fixed undercarriage with prominent fairings, open cockpit, and a fairly clean profile despite fixed gear — more refined-looking than radial-engine contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Curtiss A-8 Shrike has a length of 9.75 m (32 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.41 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 285 km/h (177 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in June 1931, the A-8 entered USAAC service and was developed through the A-10, A-12, and eventually the A-14 and A-18 in later years. The use of a liquid-cooled engine gave the A-8 a longer, narrower nose than contemporaries, though maintenance complexity limited the design's appeal. It served at USAAC bases through the mid-1930s.
Variants
The A-8 and A-8A differed in minor equipment; the A-10 was an export variant. The radial-engined A-12 was a parallel development that ultimately proved more popular.
Where you'll see it
Served with USAAC attack squadrons from 1932 through the mid-1930s before being replaced by more advanced types; no export service.
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