PW-9D

The Boeing PW‑9D was a single‑engine, biplane fighter developed in the early 1920s for the United States Navy. Originating from Boeing’s PW‑9 series, the D model entered service in 1924 as an improvement over the earlier PW‑9A and PW‑9B prototypes. Powered by a liquid‑cooled Curtiss V‑12 engine delivering roughly 440 horsepower, the aircraft featured a wooden frame with fabric covering, a two‑seat open cockpit, and a fixed landing gear with a tail skid. Structural refinements included a stronger wing strut arrangement and revised control surfaces that gave the PW‑9D better maneuverability and climb rate, reaching 20,000 feet at 115 mph. Though only a limited batch of twenty‑four units were built, the PW‑9D proved vital in testing carrier‑deck handling techniques that later informed the design of Boeing’s iconic F4B and the legendary P‑26 “Peashooter.” Its operational history, though brief, demonstrated the transition from wooden biplanes to all‑metal monoplanes, marking a pivotal step in naval aviation’s evolution and cementing Boeing’s reputation as a leading military aircraft manufacturer. The PW‑9D also served as a testbed for early radio communication equipment, allowing pilots to coordinate with shipborne stations during night operations, an innovation that laid groundwork for modern carrier air‑traffic control.