| The first Curtiss fighter designed from the outset for
shipboard use as opposed to being an adaptation of a
land-based fighter, the XF7C-1 single-seat fighter was
characterised by sweptback upper wing outer panels
and flew for the first time on 28 February 1927. Powered
by a 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-B Wasp radial, the
XF7C-1 was flown both with and without a propeller
spinner, and was also tested with a single central float
and outrigger stabilising floats. Seventeen F7C-1s were
ordered for US Navy service and delivered during
December 1928 and January 1929. These differed from
the prototype primarily in having tripod main undercarriage
members in place of the cross axle. The propeller
spinner was discarded and armament comprised
two 7.62mm synchronised machine guns. In the event, all F7C-1s were operated by the US Marine
Corps (VF-5M) at Quantico.
 | A three-view drawing (1280 x 936) |
WEIGHTS |
Take-off weight | 1262 kg | 2782 lb |
Empty weight | 924 kg | 2037 lb |
DIMENSIONS |
Wingspan | 9.96 m | 33 ft 8 in |
Length | 6.75 m | 22 ft 2 in |
Height | 3.15 m | 10 ft 4 in |
Wing area | 25.64 m2 | 275.99 sq ft |
PERFORMANCE |
Max. speed | 243 km/h | 151 mph |
Range | 531 km | 330 miles |
Phil Clayton, e-mail, 26.02.2010 08:02 I believe all of the F7c-1's were placed with the Marine Corps in Quantico, but were all of them painted the same color. To the best of my findings, the plane was silver except to the yellow top wing, and the engine housing was red. I believe the headrest was red too. Were there other color combinations? reply |
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|  COMPANY PROFILE All the World's Rotorcraft
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