OVERVIEW
The F6C Hawk was the US Navy and Marine model of the Armys Curtiss P-1 Hawk.
The F6C Hawk was the US Navy and Marine model of the Armys Curtiss P-1 Hawk.
YEAR: 1924
MANUFACTURER(S): Curtiss - USA
PRODUCTION: 75
OPERATORS: United States
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Curtiss F6C-3 HAWK model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Curtiss F6C-3 HAWK model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 1
LENGTH: 22.83 feet (6.96 meters)
WIDTH: 31.59 feet (9.63 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 2,161 pounds (980 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 3,349 pounds (1,519 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x Curtiss D.12 "Conquerer" water-cooled inline engine developing 400 horsepower.
SPEED (MAX): 154 miles-per-hour (248 kilometers-per-hour; 134 knots)
RANGE: 351 miles (565 kilometers; 305 nautical miles)
CEILING: 20,299 feet (6,187 meters; 3.84 miles)
ARMAMENT
STANDARD:
2 x .30 caliber machine guns
STANDARD:
2 x .30 caliber machine guns
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• Model L-18-1
• PW-8 - Production models of the Model L-18-1 of which 25 were produced for the US Army.
• XPW-8B - Experimental variant fitted with Curtiss D-12 440hp engine.
• P-1 - Production Variant of the XPW-8B
• P-1A - 25 produced
• P-1B - 25 produced; fitted with Curtiss V-1150-3 435hp engine.
• P-1C - 33 produced; fitted with Curtiss V-1150-5 engine; wheel brakes implemented; ski landing gear.
• AT-4 - Advanced Trainer Variant based on the P-1A; fitted with Wright-Hispano E 180hp engine.
• P-1D - Fitted with V-1150 engine based on the AT-4 trainer model.
• AT-5 - Improved trainer variant based on the P-1D model fitted with 220hp Wright Whirlwind J-5 radial engine.
• P-1E - Converted AT-5 models with V-1150 engine.
• AT-5A - Longer fuselage trainers; would later become P-1F.
• P-1F - Converted AT-5A trainer models fitted with V-1150 engine.
• F6C - United States Navy carrier-based fighter model.
• F6C-1 - United States Marine Corps land-based F6C model based on the US Army P-1 fighter.
• F6C-2 - Carrier-based model fitted with arrestor hook and other specialized landing equipment.
• F6C-3 - Modified F6C-2 fighters
• F6C-4 - Fitted with Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial generating 420hp.
Series Model Variants
• Model L-18-1
• PW-8 - Production models of the Model L-18-1 of which 25 were produced for the US Army.
• XPW-8B - Experimental variant fitted with Curtiss D-12 440hp engine.
• P-1 - Production Variant of the XPW-8B
• P-1A - 25 produced
• P-1B - 25 produced; fitted with Curtiss V-1150-3 435hp engine.
• P-1C - 33 produced; fitted with Curtiss V-1150-5 engine; wheel brakes implemented; ski landing gear.
• AT-4 - Advanced Trainer Variant based on the P-1A; fitted with Wright-Hispano E 180hp engine.
• P-1D - Fitted with V-1150 engine based on the AT-4 trainer model.
• AT-5 - Improved trainer variant based on the P-1D model fitted with 220hp Wright Whirlwind J-5 radial engine.
• P-1E - Converted AT-5 models with V-1150 engine.
• AT-5A - Longer fuselage trainers; would later become P-1F.
• P-1F - Converted AT-5A trainer models fitted with V-1150 engine.
• F6C - United States Navy carrier-based fighter model.
• F6C-1 - United States Marine Corps land-based F6C model based on the US Army P-1 fighter.
• F6C-2 - Carrier-based model fitted with arrestor hook and other specialized landing equipment.
• F6C-3 - Modified F6C-2 fighters
• F6C-4 - Fitted with Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp radial generating 420hp.
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Curtiss F6C HAWK Naval Carrierborne Fighter Aircraft. Entry last updated on 1/22/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Curtiss F6C HAWK Naval Carrierborne Fighter Aircraft. Entry last updated on 1/22/2017. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The Curtiss F6C Hawk series of aircraft was in fact the US Navy/Marine model of the US Army's P-1 Hawk series. The US Navy found the P-1 attractive enough to begin fielding it as a carrier-based aircraft whilst the US Marines operated it as a land-based fighter.
With its origins in the Model L-18-1 (which stemmed the PW-8 US Army production fighters), the P-1 was a biplane single-engine, single-seat fighter with fixed landing gears. In the interwar years, the system would become one of the many symbols in the evolution of the aircraft during this time. Tapered-wings, wheel brakes and evermore powerful engines produced a wild amount of variants for the Curtiss company that would see the Hawk series as a frontline fighter in all the major armed services of the time.
Armed modestly with a World War One-style array of .303 caliber machine guns, the aircraft was indeed a throwback to earlier days of aerial combat. The metal body-covering was, however, a taste of things to come throughout the 1930's. With a flight ceiling of over 20,000 feet and speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour, the P-1 and F6C Hawk series was a step in the right direction for American military aviation design.
With its origins in the Model L-18-1 (which stemmed the PW-8 US Army production fighters), the P-1 was a biplane single-engine, single-seat fighter with fixed landing gears. In the interwar years, the system would become one of the many symbols in the evolution of the aircraft during this time. Tapered-wings, wheel brakes and evermore powerful engines produced a wild amount of variants for the Curtiss company that would see the Hawk series as a frontline fighter in all the major armed services of the time.
Armed modestly with a World War One-style array of .303 caliber machine guns, the aircraft was indeed a throwback to earlier days of aerial combat. The metal body-covering was, however, a taste of things to come throughout the 1930's. With a flight ceiling of over 20,000 feet and speeds in excess of 150 miles per hour, the P-1 and F6C Hawk series was a step in the right direction for American military aviation design.
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 200mph
Lo: 100mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (154mph).
Graph average of 150 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
MSK
TKY
TKY
SYD
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LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Curtiss F6C-3 HAWK's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
75
75
Altitude Visualization
