R3C-1

The Curtiss R3C‑1 was a naval racing floatplane developed in the early 1920s to compete for the coveted Pulitzer Trophy and later for the Schneider Trophy. Designed by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, the aircraft evolved from the earlier R3C‑2 landplane and featured a powerful 550‑hp Curtiss D‑12 V‑12 engine, a streamlined wooden fuselage, and equal‑span biplane wings with a high aspect ratio. Its most distinctive element was the twin‑float undercarriage, which allowed the R3C‑1 to take off from water while retaining the speed and agility of a land‑based racer. In September 1922 pilot Jimmy Doolittle set a world speed record of 266.5 mph in an R3C‑1, demonstrating the machine’s superior aerodynamic efficiency. The aircraft’s success prompted the U.S. Navy to adopt several design concepts for future scout and patrol seaplanes, influencing the development of the legendary P‑1 and later the Consolidated PBY Catalina. Although only a handful were built, the R3C‑1 remains a milestone in early aviation, embodying the transition from experimental biplanes to high‑performance, purpose‑built racers that pushed the boundaries of speed and engineering. Its legacy helped shape United States naval aviation doctrine and inspired the later development of high‑speed monoplanes such as the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver.