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[1992.247.001] Aircraft - 'BFC-2 Arcraft, Bureau Number 9332' |
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BFC-2 Arcraft, Bureau Number 9332
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| Accession Number |
1992.247.001 |
| Accession Date |
18/06/1992 |
| Creator |
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| Object Desciption |
Largely a replica that incorporates some original period parts and components, the museum's example of the Curtiss BFC-2 Goshawk on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation represents an important technological evolution in naval aviation history in its role as one of the Navy's first fighter-bombers and one of the interwar airframes developed to execute the tactic of dive bombing.
The original components incorporated into the museum's aircraft are from BFC-2 Goshawk (Bureau Number 9332), which was built at the Curtiss-Wright facility in Buffalo, New York, and delivered to the Navy on April 13, 1933. Arriving at San Diego on April 27th, its first assignment was to Battle Force (Pacific Fleet) at North Island. In July, it was assigned to Fighting Squadron (VF) 1B, the famous "High Hat Squadron," embarked in the carrier Saratoga (CV 3). The squadron was redesignated VB-2B in 1934 when the primary mission was shifted officially from fighter to bomber (eventually VB-2B would be further redesignated VB-3, keeping its BFC-2s until 1938 when they were replaced with Vought SB2U-1).
From 1935 to January1938 BuNo 9332 rotated between the squadron and repair and overhaul services at San Diego. The plane was reengined five times between 1935 and 1938, and suffered major damage in a 1937 crash. In February 1938, after being repaired, she was transferred to Battle Force (Atlantic Fleet) at Norfolk, Virginia, for duty with VB-6, attached to the carrier Enterprise (CV 6). However, given the advent of the SB2U-1 Vindicator, it is unlikely that BuNo 9332 ever flew from Enterprise. By June 1938 BuNo 9332 was noted as having "General wear incident to service…" with a recommendation to strike it from service. At the time, the plane had accumulated 1475.8 hours of flying time.
After it's service in the Navy, the aircraft was eventually purchased and restored, its civilian owners including World Wide Aeronautic Industries in Moorpark, California, and SECO Aviation Company, Augusta, Georgia. It became part of the museum's collection in 1992. |
| Notes |
In 1929 the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company merged with the Wright Aeronautical Company to form the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. Building upon Curtiss' success in dive-bomber development embodied in the company's F8C Helldiver, the new corporation began work on developing a single-seat aircraft that could serve as both a capable fighter and bomber. The result was the Goshawk, which began its flight trials in June 1932. Features included the 600 horsepower Wright R-1510-98 radial engine, single-leg cantilever landing gear, a slight increase in the interplane gap, metal- rather than fabric-covered control surfaces, and armament based on 7.62 mm fixed forward-firing machine guns. For use in bombing there would be a hardpoint under the fuselage for a 474-lb bomb or an auxiliary fuel tank. This was the Model 64 Goshawk, which the U.S. Navy designated XF11C-1. The aircraft was of fabric-covered metal construction, used the wing structure of the Curtiss YP-23, and was delivered in September 1932.
Additional versions of the aircraft followed. The BFC-2 like that displayed in the museum was the fighter-bomber version of the aircraft, and featured a higher rear fuselage and partial canopy over the cockpit. The BF2C-1 featured hand-operated, retractable landing gear, while the F11C-2 were largely exported to nations that included Colombia, Turkey, Bolivia, Chile, China, Cuba, Germany, and Norway.
BFC-2s were delivered to Bombing Squadron (VB) 2B (later redesignated Fighting Squadron (VF) 1B), the famous "High Hats," in 1933 while the BF2C-1s joined VB-5 the following year. However, landing gear problems prompted an early withdrawal of the Goshawks, which were the last Curtiss-Wright fighters accepted for service by the Navy.
The BFC-2 on display was restored over a three-year period by World Wide Aeronautical Industries and is one of only two Goshawks on display in the world. The other is in Poland.
Specifications for BFC-2 Goshawk
Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Dimensions: Length: 22 ft., 7 in.; Height: 9 ft., 8 5/8 in.; Wingspan: 31 ft., 6 in.
Weights: Empty: 3,037 lb.; Gross: 4,132 lb.
Power plant: One 600 horsepower Wright SR-1820-F engine
Performance: Maximum Speed: 202 M.P.H.; Service Ceiling: 25,100 ft.; Range: 522 miles
Armament: Two fixed forward -firing .30-in.guns and provision for fuselage and wing-mounted ordnance |
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