Curtiss Model 35

The Curtiss Model 35, popularly known as the Curtiss Falcon, was a two‑seat biplane produced by Curtiss‑Wright in the mid‑1920s. Its first flight took place in July 1924 and the aircraft quickly entered service with the United States Army Air Service as the XO‑1 and later as the O‑1 and O‑2 observation and light‑attack types. Built around a welded steel‑tube fuselage with fabric covering and wooden, two‑bay wings, the Model 35 was powered by a 360 hp Curtiss Challenger radial engine that drove a two‑bladed propeller. The aircraft could reach 135 mph, climb to 10 000 ft in roughly twelve minutes and carry up to 400 lb of bombs or photographic equipment beneath its wings. Its clear cockpit layout, sturdy undercarriage and interchangeable for‑ and aft‑seat controls made it suitable for reconnaissance, liaison and early mail‑carrier duties. The Falcon’s ruggedness and relatively low operating cost allowed it to serve in the Americas, the Philippines and even in civilian hands as a trainer and sport plane. Although it was soon eclipsed by more advanced monoplanes, the Curtiss Model 35 demonstrated the versatility of dual‑role biplanes and helped shape U.S. tactical aviation doctrine during the interwar period.