Curtiss P-6 Hawk
Curtiss · United States · first flew 1927 · fighter
The Curtiss P-6 Hawk was the premier US Army Air Corps pursuit (fighter) aircraft of the late 1920s and early 1930s, combining high performance with elegant lines that made it the most attractive American biplane fighter of its era. It used the Curtiss Conqueror liquid-cooled V-12 engine.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.9 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Biplane pursuit fighter with Curtiss Conqueror V-12 engine
- Single-bay sesquiplane with strut-braced undercarriage
- Open cockpit, streamlined long nose cowling
A handsome single-bay biplane with a smooth, long liquid-cooled engine nose, single cockpit far aft, fixed undercarriage with wheel fairings, and distinctive unit markings — among the most photographed US military biplanes.
Specifications
- The Curtiss P-6 Hawk has a length of 6.9 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.6 m (31 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 319 km/h (198 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from the P-1 Hawk lineage, the P-6 series began in 1927 and the P-6E — its most capable variant — entered USAAC service in 1932. Despite representing the pinnacle of American biplane fighter development, it served only briefly before monoplane fighters made it obsolescent. It became famous in the distinctive white with red hawk nose art of the 17th Pursuit Squadron.
Variants
Variants included the P-6, P-6A, P-6D, and P-6E (most produced); the P-6E had helmeted cylinder head fairings and full-chord NACA cowling improving speed significantly.
Where you'll see it
Served with USAAC pursuit squadrons from 1929 to the mid-1930s; no significant export service. Retired before WWII.
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