Curtiss BF2C Goshawk

{{Short description|United States Naval Biplane}} {{Infobox aircraft |name = BF2C-1 Goshawk |image = File:Curtiss_BF2C-1_Goshawk_-_GPN-2000-001239.jpg |caption = Curtiss BF2C-1 - Model 67A (on the right) |type = Carrierborne Fighter and fighter-bomber |national_origin = United States |manufacturer = Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company |designer = |first_flight = |introduction = 1933 |retired = 1949 |status = |primary_user = United States Navy |more_users = Republic of China<br/>Royal Thai Air Force<br/>Argentine Air Force |produced = October 1934 |number_built = 164 plus 2 prototypes |developed_from = Curtiss F11C Goshawk |variants = }}

The '''Curtiss BF2C Goshawk''' ('''Model 67''') was a United States 1930s naval biplane aircraft that saw limited success and was part of a long line of Hawk series airplanes made by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company for the American military, and for export as the '''Model 68 Hawk III'''.

==Design and development== The United States Navy and Curtiss felt that the F11C-2 possessed development potential, and the Navy decided to procure a variant with retractable landing gear. This variant, which still had the F11C-2's classic "Hawk" wood wing with its flat-bottomed Clark Y airfoil, was designated '''XF11C-3''' by the Navy and '''Model 67''' by Curtiss. The main gear retraction system was inspired by the Grover Loening-designed system on the Grumman XFF-1 prototype, and was manually operated.<ref name="EdenMoeng">{{citation | title=The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=6xMYAAAACAAJ | first1=Paul | last1=Eden | first2=Soph |last2= Moeng | publisher=Amber Books | location = London | year=2002 | isbn=978-0-7607-3432-2}}</ref>

The XF11C-3 was first delivered to the USN in May 1933, with a Wright R-1820-80 radial engine rated at {{convert|700|hp|kW|lk=on|abbr=on}}. Trials revealed a {{convert|17|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} increase in speed over the F11C-2, but the extra weight caused a decrease in maneuverability. The Navy felt the handling degradation was more than offset by the increase in speed, however. During testing the XF11C-3 had its wood-framed wing replaced by the metal-structured, biconvex, NACA 2212 airfoil wing, and soon after was redesignated '''XBF2C-1''' (Model 67A) in keeping with the new Bomber-Fighter category.<ref name="EdenMoeng"/>

==Operational history== thumb|Three BF2C-1s of VB-5 from {{USS|Ranger|CV-4|6}} in 1934. [[File:Curtiss Model 68 Hawk III.jpg|thumb|Chinese Hawk III, the primary fighter-attack of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force opposing the Japanese invasion in 1937, until superseded by Polikarpov I-15 and I-16 fighters]]

Twenty-seven '''BF2C-1''' were ordered by the U.S. Navy, with a raised rear turtle deck, a semi-enclosed cockpit, and a metal-framed lower wing. It was armed with two .30 calibre Browning machine guns and three hardpoints for {{convert|500|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of external stores. Delivered in October 1934, they were assigned to VB-5B on the aircraft carrier {{USS|Ranger|CV-4|6}}, but served only a few months before difficulties with the landing gear led to their withdrawal.<ref name= "Swanborough">{{citation | title=United States Military Aircraft Since 1911 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=3QZUAAAAMAAJ&q=BF2C | first1=Gordon | last1= Swanborough | first2=Peter M. |last2=Bowers | publisher=Naval Institute Press | location =Annapolis, USA | isbn=978-0-87021-968-9 | year=1976}}</ref> In spite of its short service run, many of the innovations developed for the '''Goshawk''' line found wide use in Navy aircraft in the years that followed. They were the last Curtiss fighter accepted for service with the U.S. Navy.<ref name="Swanborough"/>

The export version '''Model 68 Hawk III''' reverted to the classic wood/Clark Y wings and was powered by a {{convert|770|hp|kW|abbr=on}} R-1820-F53. Chinese Hawk IIIs (about 100 licensed-built in the CAMCO plant at Jianqiao Aerodrome) served as multi-purpose aircraft when combat operations against the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Air Forces began in earnest in August 1937, particularly with the Battle of Shanghai and Nanjing, and were considered the Nationalist Chinese Air Force's frontline fighter-pursuit aircraft along with their inventory of Hawk IIs, Boeing Model 281 "Peashooters" and Fiat CR.32s. Col. Gao Zhihang scored a double-kill against the superior Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" (predecessor of the A6M "Zero") over Nanjing on 12 October, 1937 while at the controls of his Hawk III numbered "IV-I" (4th Pursuit Group, Commander).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bergin|first=Bob|date=2017-08-22|title=High Aviation Ideals|url=https://www.historynet.com/high-aviation-ideals.htm|access-date=2020-11-20|website=HistoryNet|language=en-US|quote=Colonel Gao, with several of the Hawks, went after the A5Ms... which were agile open-cockpit monoplanes, far superior to anything the Chinese had.... In the ensuing melee, Gao drove one down, then jumped by three others engaging him in a lengthy contest. Two A5Ms broke off while a third flew on, making loop after loop, its pilot dead at the controls. Gao was credited with two A5M kills, an impressive achievement.}}</ref> The appearance of monoplanes like the A5M shifted the balance towards the Japanese.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major General Liu Chi-Sheng |url=http://www.century-of-flight.freeola.com/Aviation%20history/WW2/aces/Liu%20Chi-Sheng.htm |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=www.century-of-flight.freeola.com}}</ref> Several Chinese pilots achieved ''fighter-ace'' status while flying solely the Hawk IIIs, including Capt. Liu Cuigang, Lt. Lu Jichun, Capt. Yuan Baokang, Lt. Yue Yiqin.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cheung |first=Raymond |title=Aces of the Republic of China Air Force |publisher=Osprey Publishing |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-4728-0562-1 |location=Oxford, England |chapter=Shanghai and Nanking campaigns}}</ref>

A Chinese Hawk III pilot Lt. Yan Haiwen flying in aircraft # ''2510'' (25th PS plane # 10), was shot down by anti-aircraft fire while attacking Japanese positions in Shanghai on 17 August, 1937, parachuted into enemy-held territory, exchanging gunfire with soldiers ordered to capture him alive; saving the last bullet for himself, and famously buried with full military honors by the Imperial Japanese Army. As the air-interdiction and close-air support for the National Revolutionary Army of China continued at the Battle of Shanghai on 14 October, 1937, the Chinese Air Force launched a major strike against Japanese positions in Shanghai at 16:00 hours with a uniquely mixed force of three Curtiss Hawk IIIs escorting three B-10s, two He 111As, five O-2MCs and five Gammas from Nanjing in the late-afternoon, and then one strike launched every hour from Nanking to Shanghai in the evening until 03:00 hours on 15 October.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gustavsson|first=Hakans|date=|title=Håkans Aviation page – Sino-Japanese Air War 1937|url=http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/sino-japanese-1937.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311003901/http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se:80/sino-japanese-1937.htm |archive-date=2005-03-11 |access-date=2020-12-21|website=Biplane Fighter Aces - China|quote=14 October 1937, at 16:00, 18 aircraft (three Hawk IIIs, three Martin 139WCs (B-10), two Heinkel He111s, five Douglas O-2MCs and five Northrop Gammas) took off from Nanking to attack Shanghai airfields and warehouses. They barely escaped the attack on their airbase by five Japanese bombers escorted by five fighters, which arrived about five minutes after they took off. The Japanese planes bombed the vacant airfield without inflicting much damage... a few hours later, starting at 21:00, one aircraft was sent every hour from Nanking to bomb targets in Shanghai until 03:00 on 15 October.}}</ref> These combination of attacks with the Hawk IIIs were used against both the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy Air Forces, and against both ground and naval targets with considerable success through the end of 1937, before being superseded by the better-armed and faster Polikarpov I-15 and I-16 fighters that were supplied to the Chinese Air Force through the Sino-Soviet Treaty of 1937.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gustavsson|first=Hakans|date=|title=Håkans Aviation page – Sino-Japanese Air War 1937|url=http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/sino-japanese-1937.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311003901/http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se:80/sino-japanese-1937.htm |archive-date=2005-03-11 |access-date=2020-12-21|website=Biplane Fighter Aces - China|quote=14 October 1937, at 16:00, 18 aircraft (three Hawk IIIs, three Martin 139WCs, two Heinkel He111s, five Douglas O-2MCs and five Northrop Gammas) took off from Nanking to attack Shanghai airfields and warehouses... barely avoiding attacks by five Japanese bombers escorted by five fighters, that arrived over their airbase about five minutes after taking off. The Japanese planes bombed the vacant airfield without inflicting much damage... a few hours later, starting at 21:00, one aircraft was sent every hour to bomb targets in Shanghai until 03:00 on 15 October.}}</ref>

In early 1935, Thailand placed an order for 24 Curtiss Hawk IIIs at a cost of 63,900 Baht each, and a manufacturing license was also bought. The first 12 Hawk IIIs were shipped to Thailand in August and the remaining 12 arrived in late 1935, which were named Fighter Type 10. A total of 50 Hawk IIIs were locally built during 1937 and 1939. The type was used against the French in the Franco-Thai War and the Japanese invaders in December 1941, then relegated for use as trainers. Some of these aircraft were still active in 1949 and one airframe (KH-10) survives in the Royal Thai Air Force Museum.<ref>{{citation | url=http://www.rtaf.mi.th/museum/BLDG2-2.HTM#hawk3 | title=Building 2 | publisher=Royal Thai Air Force Museum | access-date=2008-11-07 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025010322/http://www.rtaf.mi.th/MUSEUM/BLDG2-2.HTM#hawk3 | archive-date=2013-10-25 }}. The RTAF Museum is home to the only surviving Hawk III</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://members.tripod.com/peterlewisdesign/thaimuseum/hawk3.htm|title= Curtiss Hawk 3 |access-date=2008-11-07|publisher=Peter Lewis Designs }}. Unofficial site that has a better photo and a bit more history.</ref>

The '''Model 79''' Hawk IV demonstrator had a fully enclosed cockpit and a {{convert|790|hp|kW|abbr=on}} R-1820-F56.

==Variants== ;XBF2C-1 Hawk :The XF11C-3 prototype redesignated as a fighter-bomber. ;BF2C-1 Goshawk (Model 67A) :Production version of the XF11C-3; 27 built. ;Hawk III (Model 68) :Export version of BF2C-1 with an {{convert|770|hp|kW|abbr=on}} R-1820-F53 for Argentina, China, Thailand and Turkey; 137 built. ;Hawk IV (Model 79) :Export version with an {{convert|790|hp|kW|abbr=on}} R-1820-F56 engine; one demonstrator built. ;B.Kh.10 :({{langx|th|บ.ข.๑๐}}) Royal Siamese Air Force designation for the Hawk III.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

==Operators== thumb|Curtiss BF2C Goshawk at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum

;{{ARG}} *Army Aviation Service operated ten Model 68A ''Hawk III'' and 1 Model 79 ''Hawk IV''. ;{{flagicon|Republic of China}} China *Chinese Nationalist Air Force operated 102 Model 68C ''Hawk III'' ;{{THA}} *Royal Thai Air Force operated 24 Model 68B ''Hawk III and Produced domestically in the amount of 50 units'' ;{{TUR}} *Turkish Air Force operated one Model 68B ''Hawk III'' ;{{USA}} *United States Navy operated 27 BF2C-1s

==Specifications (Hawk III)== {{Aircraft specs |ref=Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947,<ref name=Bowers>{{cite book |last1=Bowers |first1=Peter M. |title=Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947 |date=1979 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=0370100298 |pages=274–284}}</ref> The complete encyclopedia of world aircraft<ref name="Eden">{{cite book |editor1-last=Eden |editor1-first=Paul |editor2-last=Moeng |editor2-first=Soph |title=The complete encyclopedia of world aircraft |date=2002 |publisher=Barnes & Noble Books |isbn=0-7607-3432-1 |page=515}}</ref> |prime units?=imp  |crew=1 |length ft=24 |length in=4 |length note= |span ft=31 |span in=6 |span note= |height ft=9 |height in=11.5 |height note= |wing area sqft=262 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil='''root:''' NACA 2212; '''tip:''' NACA 2212<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref> |empty weight lb=3326 |empty weight note= |gross weight lb=4552 |gross weight note= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity= |more general=  |eng1 number=1 |eng1 name=Wright R-1820-04 Cyclone |eng1 type=9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine |eng1 hp=770

|more performance=  |armament= *1 x {{cvt|7.62|mm|2|order=flip}} M1919 Browning machine gun (Right) + 1 x {{cvt|12.7|mm|2|order=flip}} M2 Browning machine gun (Left) *1 x {{cvt|215|kg|order=flip}} bomb on an under-fuselage hardpoint or 2 x {{cvt|53|kg|order=flip}} bombs carried, one under each lower wing }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

===Further reading=== *{{Cite book |last1=Bellomo |first1=Sergio |last2=Cordon Aguirre |first2=Arturo |last3= Marino|first3=Atilio |last4= Núñez Padin |first4= Jorge |title= Curtiss Hawk |year=1999 |editor-first=Jorge Felix |editor-last= Núñez Padin |publisher= Fuerzas Aeronavales |series= Serie Fuerza Aérea Argentina |volume=5 |language=es |location= Bahía Blanca, Argentina }} *{{cite magazine|last=Hagedorn|first=Dan|title=Curtiss Types in Latin America|magazine=Air Enthusiast|date=March–May 1992|issue=45 |pages=61–77 |issn=0143-5450}} *{{cite magazine|last=Young|first=Edward M.|title=France's Forgotten Air War|magazine=Air Enthusiast|date=1984|issue=25 |pages=22–33 |issn=0143-5450}}

==External links== {{commons category|Curtiss BFC/BF2C Goshawk}} * [http://www.airminded.net/goshawk/goshawk.html Images] * [https://books.google.com/books?id=YSgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57 "Fast Navy Plane Has Retractable Wheels"] ''Popular Science'', July 1934

BF02C Category:1930s United States fighter aircraft Category:1930s United States bomber aircraft Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft Category:Biplanes Category:Carrier-based aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1933 Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear Category:Single-engined piston aircraft

Curtiss BF2C Goshawk

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