Curtiss P-1F Hawk

Curtiss · United States · first flew 1929 · fighter

The Curtiss P-1F Hawk was a late variant of the Curtiss P-1 biplane pursuit series, incorporating an experimental engine installation to evaluate alternatives to the standard Curtiss D-12. Only a small number of experimental conversions were produced as the biplane era gave way to monoplane designs.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• 1920s biplane pursuit aircraft
• Single liquid-cooled Curtiss V-12 engine with chin radiator
• Fabric-covered wire-braced biplane with fixed undercarriage

Classic 1920s pursuit biplane — equal-span or near-equal-span wire-braced wings, spatted fixed undercarriage, large frontal radiator under the engine, and an open cockpit.

Specifications

• The Curtiss P-1F Hawk has a length of 6.93 m (23 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 9.6 m (31 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 283 km/h (176 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The P-1 Hawk family was the US Army Air Corps' standard pursuit aircraft through the mid-to-late 1920s, and various sub-variants (P-1A through P-1F) tested different powerplants and equipment fits. The P-1F was among the last of these experimental conversions.

Variants

The P-1 family spawned numerous variants including the P-1A through F and related export Hawk variants; the P-6 Hawk continued the lineage with the Conqueror engine.

Where you'll see it

Served with the US Army Air Corps in the 1920s and early 1930s; the type was obsolete before World War II and retired from front-line use well before the conflict.

Related aircraft

• Curtiss XF8C-2 Helldiver
• Curtiss XF8C-4 Helldiver
• Curtiss A-4 Helldiver
• Curtiss F6C-6 Hawk
• Boeing P-12
• Boeing XP-7
• Hall XFH
• Hall XP2H-1

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