Curtiss P-23
Curtiss-Wright · United States · first flew 1932 · fighter
The Curtiss XP-23 was an experimental American biplane fighter of the early 1930s representing the ultimate refinement of the Curtiss Hawk biplane line.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- parasol-style open-cockpit biplane with interplane struts
- liquid-cooled inline engine with chin radiator
- fixed spatted undercarriage
Late biplane Hawk with fully spatted undercarriage; long-nosed liquid-cooled Conqueror engine with prominent chin radiator; tapered lower wing shorter than upper; open cockpit with headrest fairing.
Specifications
- The Curtiss P-23 has a length of 8.4 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 332 km/h (206 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Evolved from the P-6 Hawk series, the XP-23 used a turbo-supercharged Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror engine and was intended to explore high-altitude performance. Only one prototype was completed in 1932. It demonstrated the limits of biplane fighter development and the US Army Air Corps chose instead to pursue monoplane designs. The XP-23 was later converted to a two-seat configuration for evaluation.
Variants
XP-23 (single prototype); YP-23 (two-seat conversion of the prototype).
Where you'll see it
Strictly experimental; never entered production. Served only as a test aircraft at Wright Field.
Related aircraft
- Curtiss Export Hawk II
- Curtiss A-8 Shrike
- Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk
- Curtiss T-32 Condor II
- ANF Les Mureaux 170
- Avia B-34
- Boeing P-26 Peashooter
- Boeing P-26A Peashooter
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