Curtiss MF Boat
Curtiss · United States · first flew 1918 · light aircraft
The Curtiss MF (Modified F-Boat) was a two-seat biplane flying boat developed by Curtiss near the end of World War I, offering improvements over the earlier Curtiss F flying boat for training and coastal patrol duties. It retained the classic Curtiss pusher-engine biplane boat configuration.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.14 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane flying boat from WWI era
- Pusher engine mounted between wings on struts
- Open cockpit with boat hull
Distinctive pusher-biplane layout with the engine mounted on struts between the wings above the boat hull, open side-by-side cockpit, and the stepped hull typical of Curtiss flying boats.
Specifications
- The Curtiss MF Boat has a length of 9.14 m (30 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.72 m (45 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 121 km/h (75 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The MF emerged from Curtiss's extensive experience building flying boats for the US Navy during World War I, entering service in 1918 and continuing in use into the early 1920s. It was also marketed commercially as the Curtiss Seagull for joy-riding and early civil aviation.
Variants
The commercial Curtiss Seagull was essentially the MF adapted for civil use; minor variations existed in engine fit and equipment.
Where you'll see it
Used by the US Navy for training and coastal patrol in the final stages of World War I, then transitioned to civil operators for pleasure flying and early air services in the early 1920s.
Related aircraft
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