Curtiss F11C-2 Goshawk
of VF-1B, 1933-34
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The Curtiss P-23 saw a major change to the design of the Hawk biplane fighter, with a totally new fuselage, tail, nose, engine and landing gear. The aircraft was built around the last production P-6E, although it didn't keep much from the original aircraft. The XP-23 was built with a metal monocoque fuselage with a very clean profile, a new metal-skinned tail, a three-blade propeller, new landing gear and a turbo-supercharged and geared G1V-1570-C engine. The largest element retained from the P-6E was the wings.
The XP-23 was delivered on 16 April 1932. As with all of the turbo-supercharged Hawks its speed as sea level fell, in this case to 178mph, while its speed at altitude rose, up to 223mph at 15,000ft.
The aircraft later had the unreliable turbo removed and a two-blade propeller installed, and became the YP-23. Although the P-23 out-performed the standard P-6E the biplane fighter was becoming obsolete and the USAAF wasn't interested in any further development of the Hawk. The Navy retained its biplanes for a little longer and the wings from the P-23 were used on the XF11C-1.
Engine: Curtiss G1V-1570C
Power: 600hp at 10,000ft
Crew: 1
Span: 31ft 6in
Length: 23ft 10in
Height: 9ft 6in
Empty weight: 3,274lb
Gross weight: 4,124lb
Max speed: 223mph at 15,000ft, 180mph at sea level
Climb Rate: 1,370 ft/ min
Service ceiling: 30,000ft
Range: 435 miles
Armament: Two .3in machine guns