R3C-2

The Curtiss R3C‑2 was a single‑engine biplane racing and record‑setting aircraft built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in the early 1920s. Developed from the earlier R3C‑1 naval trainer, the R3C‑2 featured a streamlined wooden fuselage, a powerful 700 hp Curtiss V‑12 “D” engine, and a large‑diameter propeller optimized for high‑speed performance. With a wingspan of 31 feet and a lightweight, fabric‑covered wing structure, the aircraft could reach speeds exceeding 250 mph, a remarkable figure for its era. In 1922 the R3C‑2 set the world speed record at 256.5 mph over a 3‑kilometer course, and the following year it won the prestigious Pulitzer Trophy race, securing its reputation as the fastest piston‑engine biplane of the time. The aircraft also demonstrated the potential of aerodynamic refinement and power‑to‑weight ratios, influencing later racers such as the Curtiss R‑6 and the seaplane variants that competed in the Schneider Trophy. Though only a few examples were built, the R3C‑2’s achievements advanced high‑speed aeronautical design and cemented Curtiss’s leadership in early aviation competition. Today a restored R3C‑2 is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum, where it continues to inspire enthusiasts and illustrates the daring spirit of 1920s air racing.