Curtiss F6C Hawk: How an Obsolete Biplane Humiliated the Navy

The Curtiss 18T Wasp triplane reached a top speed of nearly 164 mph in 1918. This engineering momentum eventually led to the development of the F6C Hawk family of fighters. Initially operated as a conventional land-based carrier aircraft, the F6C-3 faced persistent taxiing issues on flight decks. As a practical workaround, maintenance crews and the Navy removed the wheeled landing gear entirely, converting the aircraft into floatplanes. The design proved structurally sound, enduring 45-degree dive bombing tests and winning the Curtiss Marine Trophy races. A technical breakdown of engine upgrades, bureaucratic hurdles, and the mechanical realities of early American naval aviation. #aviationhistory #usnavy #biplane #floatplane