Curtiss R3C-2
Curtiss · United States · first flew 1925 · fighter
The Curtiss R3C-2 was a single-seat racing floatplane that won the 1925 Schneider Trophy in the hands of Lieutenant James Doolittle, achieving an average speed of 374 km/h and then setting a world seaplane speed record at 395 km/h. It was one of the most technically advanced American aircraft of the interwar period.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.57 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 1925 Schneider Trophy winner on twin floats
- Curtiss V-12 engine in slim horseshoe cowling
- Compact short-span racing biplane
An exceptionally compact single-bay biplane with very short equal-span wings, a large Curtiss D-12 V-12 engine, and twin pontoon floats; the slim proportions and horseshoe-shaped radiator cowling are immediately recognisable.
Specifications
- The Curtiss R3C-2 has a length of 6.57 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.71 m (22 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 402 km/h (250 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Curtiss developed the R3C family for the 1925 racing season, producing both the R3C-1 landplane for the Pulitzer Trophy and the R3C-2 floatplane for the Schneider Trophy. Doolittle's double victory in a single season — Pulitzer then Schneider — with the two variants made international headlines and showcased American racing technology.
Variants
The R3C-1 was the wheel-equipped Pulitzer racer; the R3C-2 wore twin floats for the Schneider contest. A third airframe was briefly tested as the R3C-3 with a more powerful engine.
Where you'll see it
Operated solely by the US Army Air Service and US Navy in competition; the surviving R3C-2 is preserved at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington.
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