Curtiss BF2C-1 Goshawk
Curtiss · United States · first flew 1932 · fighter
The Curtiss BF2C-1 Goshawk was a carrier-based biplane fighter-bomber developed for the US Navy in the early 1930s, combining the fighter role with a light dive-bombing capability. It was the last biplane type ordered in quantity by the US Navy.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Fabric-covered fuselage and metal-framed wings |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane naval fighter with Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial
- Semi-retractable 'trousered' main undercarriage
- Fabric-covered fuselage and metal-framed wings
A biplane with semi-retractable 'trousered' undercarriage legs, a radial engine with a long chord cowling, and the characteristic Curtiss Hawk biplane wing cellule with N-type interplane struts.
Specifications
- The Curtiss BF2C-1 Goshawk has a length of 7.01 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.6 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 390 km/h (242 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The BF2C-1 was developed from the Curtiss Hawk II export fighter and was ordered by the Navy as the BFC-2 before being redesignated. It entered service in 1934 with VB-5 aboard USS Ranger but suffered structural problems with the wings and was withdrawn after only a year, all 28 examples being disposed of.
Variants
The BF2C-1 was the sole US Navy production variant; the export equivalent was the Curtiss Hawk III, which was more widely used by foreign air forces including China, Thailand, and Turkey.
Where you'll see it
Had a very brief career with the US Navy, being withdrawn from squadron service in 1935 due to wing failures. The export Hawk III had a much longer service life with several air forces into World War Two.
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