Curtiss XF11C-1 Goshawk

Curtiss · United States · first flew 1932 · fighter

The XF11C-1 was Curtiss's initial prototype for the US Navy's Goshawk fighter-bomber series, evaluated in 1932 as a single-seat carrier-based aircraft combining fighter agility with dive-bombing capability. It competed against the XF11C-2 and led to the production F11C series.

Recognition (WEFT)

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

Spot it by:

• Prototype navy fighter-bomber biplane
• Single Wright R-1820 radial in early cowling
• Fixed spatted undercarriage on sesquiplane lower wing

Closely resembles the XF11C-2 but can be distinguished by engine cowling and detail differences; shares the Goshawk family's sesquiplane layout and spatted undercarriage.

Specifications

• The Curtiss XF11C-1 Goshawk has a length of 7.09 m (23 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 9.6 m (31 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 333 km/h (207 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

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

History

Curtiss submitted the XF11C-1 to the Bureau of Aeronautics in 1932 as part of its Goshawk family proposals. The prototype differed from the -2 in engine and detail configuration; the Navy preferred the XF11C-2 configuration for production. Only the prototype was completed as the -1.

Variants

The XF11C-1 was a one-off prototype; the subsequent XF11C-2 led to the F11C-2 production aircraft, later redesignated BFC-2 for the bomber-fighter role.

Where you'll see it

Never entered production; the single prototype was used only for evaluation by the US Navy in 1932.

Related aircraft

• Curtiss BF2C-1 Goshawk
• Curtiss F11C Goshawk
• Curtiss F11C-2 Goshawk
• Curtiss F9C-2 Sparrowhawk
• ANF Les Mureaux 170
• Avia B-34
• Boeing P-26 Peashooter
• Boeing P-26A Peashooter

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.