Curtiss T-32 Condor II
Curtiss-Wright · United States · first flew 1933 · airliner
The Curtiss T-32 Condor II was the last biplane airliner to enter scheduled service with US airlines, designed for overnight sleeper operations with berths for 12 passengers. It bridged the biplane era and the all-metal monoplane revolution.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Sleeper berths in a fabric-covered biplane fuselage — luxury overnight transport |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Last American biplane airliner to enter scheduled airline service
- Twin Wright Cyclone radial engines in streamlined nacelles between the biplane wings
- Sleeper berths in a fabric-covered biplane fuselage — luxury overnight transport
Distinguishable as a large fabric-covered biplane with twin radial engines, a rounded fuselage with a row of cabin windows, and a fixed spatted undercarriage — very late-era biplane airline aesthetics.
Specifications
- The Curtiss T-32 Condor II has a length of 14.88 m (49 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 24.69 m (81 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 274 km/h (170 mph).
- Typical crew: 2 crew plus up to 12 sleeper or 15 day passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in January 1933, the Condor II entered service with American Airlines and Eastern Air Lines offering transcontinental sleeper service. Although quickly overtaken by the Boeing 247 and Douglas DC-2, it served American airlines briefly and was subsequently used in military and cargo roles. A handful served in South America and elsewhere.
Variants
A military transport version was operated by the US Army Air Corps (YC-30). Some aircraft were later converted for cargo or survey work.
Where you'll see it
Operated by American Airlines and Eastern Air Lines in the USA during 1933–1935, then by various military and civilian operators in smaller numbers.
Related aircraft
- Curtiss Export Hawk II
- Curtiss P-23
- Curtiss XF13C
- Curtiss A-18 Shrike
- Airspeed Courier
- Avia 51
- Boeing 247
- Boeing 247D
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.