Curtiss C-46 Commando
The Curtiss C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II.
Date: 06/28/2006
Also known to the men who flew them as "The Whale". The C-46 served a similar role as its brother the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, but was not quite as famous or as heavily produced. The Navy/Marine Corps version was known as the R5C.
This aircraft had a patented fuselage conventionally referred to as a "figure of eight" which enabled it to better withstand the pressure differential at high altitudes. This was done by having the sides of the fuselage creased at the level of the floor that not only separated the two portions but shared in the stress of each, rather than just supporting itself. Production models were unpressurized, but retained the figure eight fuselage configuration. The C-46 could carry more cargo higher than other Allied aircraft, and was used to carry cargo over the Himalayas.
This aircraft had a patented fuselage conventionally referred to as a "figure of eight" which enabled it to better withstand the pressure differential at high altitudes. This was done by having the sides of the fuselage creased at the level of the floor that not only separated the two portions but shared in the stress of each, rather than just supporting itself. Production models were unpressurized, but retained the figure eight fuselage configuration. The C-46 could carry more cargo higher than other Allied aircraft, and was used to carry cargo over the Himalayas.
NC-4
The first airplane to fly across the Atlantic Ocean -- in 1919.
Date: 06/30/2006
In May of 1919 the NC-4, a United States Navy flying boat, made the crossing over 19 days with multiple stops along the way.
Curtiss JN4
A two-seat biplane, one of the most popular planes of all time.
Date: 06/30/2006
The Curtiss JN-4 biplane is possibly North America's most famous World War I airplane. It was widely used during World War I to train beginning pilots, and was known in Canada as the "Canuck", and in the U.S. as the "Jenny". It was a twin-seat (student in front of instructor) dual control biplane. Its "Pulley" front engine and maneuverability made it ideal for initial pilot training with a 90 hp (67 kW) Curtiss OX-5 inline engine giving a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h) and a service ceiling of 6,500 ft (1980 m).
Curtiss NC4
Transatlantic Flyer, 1919
Date: 06/30/2006
The NC-4 left Rockaway Naval Base in New York on 8 May 1919, and arrived in Plymouth, England on 31 May. It’s now on display at the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
An aircraft carrier-based dive bomber produced for the United States Navy during World War II
Date: 06/30/2006
It replaced the Douglas SBD Dauntless in US Navy service, and was initially strongly disliked by aircrews because it was much bigger and heavier than the SBD, was underpowered, had a shorter range, had an unreliable electrical system, and was often poorly manufactured. Opinions soon changed, however, and the SB2C sank more enemy shipping in the Pacific war than any other US or Allied aircraft.
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
A single-engine, single-seat, low-wing, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft used in World War II.
Date: 06/30/2006
The P-40 had good agility, especially at high speed. It was one of the tightest-turning monoplane fighters of the war, though at lower speeds not even comparable to the hypermaneuverable Japanese fighters.
It was a fairly simple aircraft, lacking such sophisticated innovations as boosted ailerons or automatic leading edge slats, but it had a very strong structure including a seven-longeron wing which enabled P-40s to survive several documented partial air-to air collisions with enemy aircraft.
It was a fairly simple aircraft, lacking such sophisticated innovations as boosted ailerons or automatic leading edge slats, but it had a very strong structure including a seven-longeron wing which enabled P-40s to survive several documented partial air-to air collisions with enemy aircraft.
Curtiss P-1 Hawk
An open-cockpit bi-plane fighter of the U.S. Army Air Corps.
Date: 09/26/2006
The Curtiss P-1 Hawk was the first US Army Air Service aircraft to be assigned the "P" (Pursuit) designation which replaced seven designations for pursuit aircraft, including "PW" ( for "Pursuit, Water-cooled engine"). The P-1 was the production version of the Curtiss XPW-8B, an improved variant of the PW-8, 25 of which were operational with the Air Service's 17th Pursuit Squadron.
