Curtiss Goshawk
Origins and Design Evolution
The Curtiss F11C Goshawk was a carrier-based biplane fighter and fighter-bomber developed by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company for the U.S. Navy in the early 1930s.
It was part of the broader Curtiss Hawk family, which had already seen success with land-based fighters like the P-6 Hawk.
In 1932, Curtiss proposed the Model 64, a refinement of its earlier F6C Hawk, to meet the Navy’s evolving requirements for a dual-role aircraft capable of both air combat and dive bombing.
The Navy designated the prototype as XF11C-1, later redesignated XBFC-1 when the “Bomber-Fighter” classification was adopted.
Key design features included
A 600 hp Wright R-1510-98 radial engine.
Metal-covered control surfaces for improved durability.
A single-leg cantilever landing gear.
A hardpoint under the fuselage for a 474 lb bomb or auxiliary fuel tank.
Two fixed forward-firing. 30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns.
The aircraft retained a fabric-covered metal structure and reused the wing cell structure from the dismantled YP-23 prototype.
Its first flight occurred in September 1932, and it was delivered to the Navy shortly thereafter.
Development and Variants
XF11C-2 / XBFC-2
A second prototype, the Model 64A, featured a more powerful Wright R-1820-78 Cyclone engine, longer landing gear legs with low-pressure tyres, and a tailwheel replacing the tailskid.
It also introduced underwing bomb racks and a crutch mechanism to swing bombs clear of the propeller during dive-bombing.
After successful trials, it became the prototype for the production F11C-2.
F11C-2 / BFC-2
The production version, F11C-2, was ordered in October 1932, with 28 units built.
In 1934, it was redesignated BFC-2 to reflect its bomber-fighter role.
These aircraft served aboard USS Saratoga (VF-1B, VB-2B) and USS Enterprise (VB-6).
They were used primarily for dive-bombing trials and fighter-bomber training but were quickly outclassed by newer monoplanes.
XF11C-3 / XBF2C-1
One F11C-2 was experimentally fitted with retractable landing gear and a 700 hp Wright R-1820-80 engine, becoming the XF11C-3 and later XBF2C-1.
This prototype led to the final U.S. Navy variant.
BF2C-1 Goshawk (Model 67A)
The BF2C-1 was the production version of the XF11C-3, with 27 units built.
It featured a Townend ring cowling, retractable gear, and structural improvements.
However, the landing gear proved unreliable, and the type was withdrawn from frontline service shortly after introduction.
Export Success and Global Service
Although the Goshawk had a brief U.S. Navy career, its export derivatives—especially the Hawk II and Hawk III—achieved significant global success.
Hawk II
Derived from the F11C-2, the Hawk II was exported to
China, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Turkey, Norway, and Thailand.
Used in conflicts like the Leticia Incident, the Chaco War, and the early Sino-Japanese War.
Thai designation
B.Kh.9.
Hawk III (Model 68)
Based on the BF2C-1, the Hawk III featured a 770 hp Wright R-1820-F53 engine and was exported to
China, Thailand, Argentina, and Turkey.
Played a major role in the Second Sino-Japanese War, especially during the Battle of Shanghai.
Thai designation
B.Kh.10.
A total of 137 Hawk IIIs were built.
Hawk IV (Model 79)
A final export demonstrator with a 790 hp Wright R-1820-F56 engine.
Only one was built, intended to showcase Curtiss’s latest refinements.
Combat Legacy
In China, Hawk IIIs were the backbone of the Nationalist Air Force during the late 1930s, scoring early victories against Japanese bombers.
In Thailand, Hawk IIIs saw action during the Franco-Thai War (1940–41).
In South America, Hawk IIs were used for border patrol, reconnaissance, and light attack missions.
Though obsolete by the start of WWII, these aircraft remained in service due to their reliability and ease of maintenance.
They were gradually replaced by more modern monoplanes like the Polikarpov I-15 and I-16.
Historical Significance
The Curtiss Goshawk marked the end of Boeing’s monopoly on US Navy single-seat fighters.
It was one of the first US Navy aircraft designed explicitly for dive-bombing, influencing later designs like the SBD Dauntless.
Its export success extended its operational relevance well into the 1940s, especially in Asia and South America.
Specifications
(F11C-2) & (BFC-2)
Crew
1
Length
22 ft 7 in (6.88 m)
Wingspan
31 ft 6 in (9.60 m)
Height
9 ft 8.625 in (2.96228 m)
Wing area
262 sq ft (24.3 m²)
Airfoil
Root and Tip
Clark Y
Empty weight
3,037 lb (1,378 kg)
Gross weight
4,132 lb (1,874 kg)
Powerplant
1 × Wright R-1820-78 Cyclone,
9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine,
600 hp (450 kW)
Propellers
3-bladed metal propeller
Performance
Maximum speed
202 mph (325 km/h, 176 kn)
Cruise speed
150 mph (240 km/h, 130 kn)
Range
522 mi (840 km, 454 nmi)
Service ceiling
25,100 ft (7,700 m)
Rate of climb
2,300 ft/min (12 m/s)
Armament
Guns
2 × fixed, synchronized .30 in (7.62 mm) AN/M2 Browning machine guns in the forward fuselage
Bombs
1 × 474 lb (215 kg) bomb on an under-fuselage hardpoint
or
2 × 117 lb (53 kg) bombs were carried, one under each lower wing.
Sources
I reviewed a selection of publications to gather inspiration for composing the text for this aircraft.
Here’s the list of sources.
Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947 by Peter M Bowers.
Curtiss Company Profile 1907-1947 by Aeroplane Monthly.
A History of Chinese Aviation, Encyclopedia of Aircraft and Aviation in China until 1949 by Lennart Andersson.
Curtiss Navy Hawks In Action 156, Squadron Signal Publications.
Encyclopaedia of Chinese Aircraft Vol 1.
Latin American Air Wars And Aircraft 1912-1969-Dan Hagedorn.
