Wright XF3W Apache
Wright Aeronautical · United States · first flew 1926 · fighter
The Wright XF3W Apache was a US Navy single-seat biplane fighter prototype of the 1920s, one of several competing designs evaluated during that era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.73 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat biplane fighter prototype of the mid-1920s
- Radial engine in an early NACA-ring cowling
- Single-bay biplane with wire bracing and fixed undercarriage
A compact 1920s single-bay biplane with a radial engine, largely indistinguishable from other competitive fighter prototypes of the period without close inspection of markings.
Specifications
- The Wright XF3W Apache has a length of 6.73 m (22 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.33 m (27 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 261 km/h (162 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built in the mid-1920s by Wright Aeronautical, the XF3W was submitted for US Navy evaluation but lost out to competing designs and did not enter production. The type was part of a broader competition to find an advanced carrier-based fighter.
Variants
Only a single prototype was built; the type did not advance to production.
Where you'll see it
Evaluated by the US Navy but not adopted for service; no operational history.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.