Curtiss TS-1
Curtiss / Naval Aircraft Factory · United States · first flew 1922 · fighter
The Curtiss TS-1 was the first aircraft specifically designed for carrier operations in the United States Navy, a single-seat single-bay biplane fighter that introduced naval aviation to purpose-built deck operations in 1922. It operated from USS Langley, America's first aircraft carrier.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.09 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- First purpose-designed US Navy carrier fighter
- Single-bay biplane with parasol lower wing
- Single Lawrence J-1 radial engine, open cockpit
A compact single-bay biplane with a notably large lower wing gap, a radial engine in a horseshoe cowl, and fixed-axle landing gear typical of early 1920s naval fighters.
Specifications
- The Curtiss TS-1 has a length of 7.09 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 7.77 m (25 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 209 km/h (130 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed in 1921 to Bureau of Aeronautics requirements, the TS-1 was built by both Curtiss and the Naval Aircraft Factory, with 34 examples completed. It entered service aboard USS Langley (CV-1) in 1922, establishing early doctrine for carrier fighter operations. The type was underpowered but manageable for the era.
Variants
The Naval Aircraft Factory produced an identical variant designated NAF TS-1; a floatplane version was also operated from seaplane tenders.
Where you'll see it
Served exclusively with the US Navy from 1922 until replaced by the Boeing FB series in the mid-1920s.
Related aircraft
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