Curtiss-Wright CW-21
Curtiss-Wright · United States · first flew 1938 · fighter
The Curtiss-Wright CW-21 was an American lightweight interceptor designed in the late 1930s to offer exceptional climb performance for interception of high-altitude bombers. Sacrificing armour and heavy armament for agility, it was exported to China and the Dutch East Indies.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.61 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
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Spot it by:
- Lightweight American interceptor designed for maximum climb rate at the expense of armament
- Sold to China and the Netherlands East Indies — saw combat against Japanese aircraft
- Very lightly built — thin-skinned and under-armed compared to contemporaries
Slim mid-wing monoplane with a Wright R-1820 radial engine, clean retractable undercarriage, and an enclosed cockpit; lighter and more lightly armed than its P-36 contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Curtiss-Wright CW-21 has a length of 8.61 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.72 m (35 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 507 km/h (315 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The CW-21 was developed as a private venture by Curtiss-Wright, first flying in 1938. The Chinese Air Force ordered a small number which saw combat against Japanese aircraft. The Netherlands East Indies purchased CW-21Bs, which faced Japanese fighters during the early Pacific War in December 1941 and January 1942; their light construction made them vulnerable to combat damage. The type was quickly overwhelmed by Japanese forces.
Variants
The CW-21 was the prototype; the CW-21B was the export production variant with minor improvements.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Chinese Air Force in limited numbers; the Netherlands East Indies Air Force used CW-21Bs in combat against Japanese aircraft over Java and Sumatra in early 1942.
Related aircraft
- P-40 Warhawk
- Curtiss XP-37
- Curtiss C-46 Commando
- Curtiss-Wright CW-22
- Arado Ar 198
- Avia B.35
- Blackburn Roc
- Bloch MB.152 C1
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