Curtiss A-8

The Curtiss A‑8 was a pioneering single‑engine biplane attack aircraft developed by the Curtiss‑Wright Corporation in the late 1920s. First flown in September 1928, the A‑8 entered service with the United States Army Air Corps in 1930, where it succeeded the older AIRCOOL series and represented the last generation of biplanes designed for ground‑attack missions before monoplanes took dominance. Powered by a 600‑horsepower Wright R‑1820 radial engine, the aircraft featured a robust steel‑tube fuselage, fabric‑covered wings, and a distinctive sesquiplane layout that gave the upper wing a larger span for improved lift. Its armament typically comprised two forward‑firing .30‑caliber machine guns, a flexible rear .30‑caliber gun, and provisions to carry up to 500 pounds of bomb load under the wings. The A‑8’s relatively high speed of 190 mph and strong maneuverability made it effective in low‑altitude strike roles during the interwar period. Though quickly eclipsed by the more advanced Curtiss A‑12 and later monoplane attack types, the A‑8 demonstrated the transition from biplane to monoplane doctrine and influenced the design of future attack aircraft, marking an important step in the evolution of U.S. tactical aviation.

Curtiss-Wright

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Design & Classification