Curtiss
Curtiss P-1 Hawk
The Curtiss P‑1 Hawk was the first production fighter built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company for the United States Army Air Service, entering service in 1923. Developed from the experimental PW‑8 and the earlier R‑6 racer, the P‑1 combined a sturdy biplane layout with a powerful 435‑horsepower Curtiss D‑12 liquid‑cooled V12 engine, giving it a top speed of about 146 mph and a service ceiling near 22,000 feet. Its wooden two‑bay wings were covered with fabric, while the fuselage employed a semi‑monocoque steel tube frame, providing a balance of strength and light weight. Armed with two synchronized .30‑caliber machine guns mounted in the upper fuselage, the aircraft could also carry a small bomb load for ground‑attack missions.
Only 44 units were produced, but the P‑1 served as a testbed for several aerodynamic refinements that later appeared on the successful P‑2 and P‑11 series. It demonstrated the viability of high‑performance, all‑metal engine installations and helped define the U.S. fighter doctrine of the interwar period. The Hawk’s legacy endures in the lineage of later Curtiss fighters that dominated the skies during World II.
Only 44 units were produced, but the P‑1 served as a testbed for several aerodynamic refinements that later appeared on the successful P‑2 and P‑11 series. It demonstrated the viability of high‑performance, all‑metal engine installations and helped define the U.S. fighter doctrine of the interwar period. The Hawk’s legacy endures in the lineage of later Curtiss fighters that dominated the skies during World II.
Classification
Production & History
- First Flight
- 1923
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Manufacturer
- Curtiss
- Military Designation
- P-1
- Wikidata ID
- Q1145763