Curtiss-built biplanes that equipped fighter units of the Air corps and Navy during the 1920's and 30's were inspired by the air racing during the early 1930's. During 1925, Curtiss received an order for fifteen fighters to be designated P-1, the first aircraft in the Air Service's new standard designations. The Navy was also interested and purchased eleven of the machines under the designation of F4C.
The most famous of the Hawks was the P-6, first flown in 1929. The P-6E had a modified fuselage, single strut landing gear with stylish wheel fairings and a 700 hp engine with Prestone cooling.
A total of 46 production P-6E's were delivered to the three fighter squadrons, the 17th, 33rd and the 95th. The Snow Owl engine cover markings were applied for participation in the 1932 Air Races.The closed wheelcovers caused problems when operating off dirt and grass fields in wet weather and in the winter. Mud and snow would build up inside the covers. As a result, the outboard portion of the covers was frequently removed, leaving the wheel uncovered.As a transitional design, the P-6 featured superior performance for a biplane design of its time, this despite the fact that only forty-six P-6 aircraft were ever ordered into frontline service, even when defense spending for the American military were severely held in check through the Great Depression years.
The P-6 Hawk series went on to see modest export success, albeit in limited numbers, throughout the world - particularly to Latin American customers. The United States Navy also utilized the plane with a different designation and some slight modifications.In all, the P-6 Hawk series would appear as the final stepping stone to more advance aircraft design and engineering, which would take a final leap with the start of World War Two. This American "between wars" design served its purpose and its role quite well.
The last eighteen P-6E's were retired from the service in 1939, mostly donated to flying schools as non-flying training aids.
Submitted by peperez
The most famous of the Hawks was the P-6, first flown in 1929. The P-6E had a modified fuselage, single strut landing gear with stylish wheel fairings and a 700 hp engine with Prestone cooling.
A total of 46 production P-6E's were delivered to the three fighter squadrons, the 17th, 33rd and the 95th. The Snow Owl engine cover markings were applied for participation in the 1932 Air Races.The closed wheelcovers caused problems when operating off dirt and grass fields in wet weather and in the winter. Mud and snow would build up inside the covers. As a result, the outboard portion of the covers was frequently removed, leaving the wheel uncovered.As a transitional design, the P-6 featured superior performance for a biplane design of its time, this despite the fact that only forty-six P-6 aircraft were ever ordered into frontline service, even when defense spending for the American military were severely held in check through the Great Depression years.
The P-6 Hawk series went on to see modest export success, albeit in limited numbers, throughout the world - particularly to Latin American customers. The United States Navy also utilized the plane with a different designation and some slight modifications.In all, the P-6 Hawk series would appear as the final stepping stone to more advance aircraft design and engineering, which would take a final leap with the start of World War Two. This American "between wars" design served its purpose and its role quite well.
The last eighteen P-6E's were retired from the service in 1939, mostly donated to flying schools as non-flying training aids.
Submitted by peperez
