Curtiss PN-1

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

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 USAAC.

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 ft² (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)
• Range: 255 miles (410 km)
• Service ceiling: 25,600 ft (7,803 m)
• Rate of climb: 1182 ft/min (6 m/s)

Armament

• 2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns

References

1. ^ ^{a b} 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. ^ ^{a b c} Angelucci, 1987. p. 118.

Bibliography

• Angelucci, Enzo (1987). The American Fighter from 1917 to the present. New York: Orion Books.