Curtiss PN-1

The Curtiss PN-1 was an American single-seat night fighter biplane built by Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company using blueprints from the Engineering Division of the United States Army Air Service.

PN-1
Role Night fighter
National origin United States
Manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
First flight 1921[1]
Status Abandoned project
Number built 1

Development

Designed by the USAAC, the PN-1 was a welded steel tube fuselage covered by fabric. The wings were wood covered by fabric. One of the two prototypes ordered was built, and underwent static testing at McCook Field.[2] It may have undergone flight testing,[1] but no orders were received.[2]

Specifications

Data from [2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 23 ft 6 in (7.16 m)
  • Wingspan: 30 ft 10 in (9.39 m)
  • Height: 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m)
  • Wing area: 300 sq ft (27.87 m2)
  • Empty weight: 1,631 lb (740 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,311 lb (1,048 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Liberty L-825 , 230 hp (172 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 108 mph (174 km/h, 94 kn)
  • Range: 255 mi (410 km, 222 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 25,600 ft (7,803 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,182 ft/min (6.0 m/s)

Armament

References
Notes
  1. Angelucci, 1987. p. 118. "certain aviation historians...state that the PN-1 never got as far as flight testing; others maintain that its maiden flight took place in August 1921"
  2. Angelucci, 1987. p. 118.
Bibliography
  • Angelucci, Enzo (1987). The American Fighter from 1917 to the present. New York: Orion Books.


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