The Curtiss XF13C (Model 70) was a carrier-based

fighter aircraft Fighter aircraft (early on also ''pursuit aircraft'') are military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat. In military conflict, the role of fighter aircraft is to establish air supremacy, air superiority of the battlespace. Domina ...

built by

Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company The Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company (1909–1929) was an American aircraft manufacturer originally founded by Glenn Curtiss, Glenn Hammond Curtiss and Augustus Moore Herring in Hammondsport, New York. After significant commercial success in ...

Development and design

The XF13C was a naval fighter featuring an all-metal construction, with a

semi-monocoque The term semi-monocoque or semimonocoque refers to a stressed shell structure that is similar to a true monocoque, but which derives at least some of its strength from conventional reinforcement. Semi-monocoque construction is used for, among o ...

fuselage, manually retractable

landing gear Landing gear is the undercarriage of an aircraft or spacecraft that is used for taxiing, takeoff or landing. For aircraft, it is generally needed for all three of these. It was also formerly called ''alighting gear'' by some manufacturers, s ...

and an enclosed cockpit. The aircraft was designed to facilitate conversions from biplane to monoplane and vice versa. The

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

bought a prototype, designated XF13C-1 when in monoplane configuration, and XF13C-2 when a biplane. The XF13C first flew in 1934 with good results realized in tests. In 1935, the aircraft received a more powerful engine and modifications to the overly tall tailplanes. The designation was changed to XF13C-3 for more flight testing.

Operational history

No production orders were received for the Curtis XF13C, but the aircraft continued to fly for

NACA The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was a United States federal agency that was founded on March 3, 1915, to undertake, promote, and institutionalize aeronautical research. On October 1, 1958, the agency was dissolved and its ...

in experimental work, and by VWJ-1 Squadron at Quantico.

Specifications (XF13C-3)

References

Citations

Bibliography

* Angelucci, Enzo. ''The American Fighter from 1917 to the present.'' New York: Orion Books, 1987. .

External links

{{USN fighters F13C

Curtiss F13C The Curtiss XF13C (Model 70) was a Aircraft carrier, carrier-based fighter aircraft built by Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. Development and design The XF13C was a naval fighter featuring an all-metal construction, with a semi-monocoque fus ...

Single-engined tractor aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1934 High-wing aircraft Biplanes Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear Single-engined piston aircraft