T-32 Condor II | |
---|---|
A USAAC YC-30 in 1933 | |
Role | Biplane transport and bomber |
Manufacturer | Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company |
First flight | 30 January 1933 |
Number built | 45 |
Developed from | B-2 Condor |
The Curtiss T-32 Condor II was a 1930s American biplane airliner and bomber aircraft built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. It was used by the United States Army Air Corps as an executive transport.
Development[]
The Condor II was a 1933 two-bay biplane of mixed construction with a single vertical stabilizer and rudder, and retractable landing gear. It was powered by two Wright Cyclone radial engines. The first aircraft was flown on 30 January 1933 and a production batch of 21 aircraft were then built. The production aircraft were fitted out as 12-passenger luxury night sleeper transports. They entered service with Eastern Air Transport and American Airways, forerunners of Eastern Air Lines and American Airlines on regular night services for the next 3 years.
The Colombian Air Force operated three BT-32 equipped with floats in the Colombia-Peru War in 1933.
Two modified T-32s were bought by the United States Army Air Corps (designated YC-30) for use as executive transports. One Condor was converted with extra fuel tanks and used by the 1939-1941 United States Antarctic Service Expedition, and, unique for a Condor, had a fixed undercarriage to allow use on floats or skis. Some aircraft were later modified to AT-32 standard with variable-pitch propellers and improved engine nacelles. The AT-32D variant could be converted from sleeper configuration to daytime use with 15 seats. Four T-32s operating in the United Kingdom were pressed into service with the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of the World War II. Eight bomber variants (BT-32) were built with manually operated machine gun turrets in the nose and above the rear fuselage. All these aircraft were exported. A military cargo version (CT-32) was also built for Argentina. It had a large loading door on the starboard side of the fuselage.
Variants[]
- T-32
- Production luxury night sleeper, 21 built including two as YC-30s
- T-32C
- Ten T-32s modified to AT-32 standard.
- AT-32A
- Variant with variable-pitch propellers and 710 hp (529 kW) Wright SGR-1820-F3 Cyclone engines, three built.
- AT-32B
- An AT-32 variant with 720 hp (537 kW) Wright SGR-1820-F2 Cyclone engines, three built.
- AT-32C
- An AT-32 variant, one built.
- AT-32D
- An AT-32 variant with 720 hp (537 kW) Wright SGR-1820-F3 Cyclone engines, one built.
- AT-32E
- AT-32 variant for the United States Navy as the R4C-1, two built.
- BT-32
- Bomber variant, eight built.
- CT-32
- Military cargo variant with large cargo door, three built.
- YC-30
- United States Army Air Corps designation for two T-32s.
- R4C-1
- United States Navy designation for two AT-32Es (one for United States Marine Corps) both later to the United States Antarctic Survey.
Operators[]
Civil operators[]
- LAN-Chile three former American Airlines examples
- Republic of China (1912–1949)
- China National Aviation Corporation operated six AT-32E freighters
- Swissair
- International Air Freight, Croydon operated four T-32s.[1]
- American Airways
- Eastern Air Transport
Military operators[]
- Argentine Naval Aviation operated three aircraft of the CT-32 variant, one as a crew trainer and two as freighters.
- Republic of China (1912–1949)
- Chinese Nationalist Air Force operated BT-32 variant.
- Colombian Air Force operated three BT-32 variants on floats.
- Peruvian Air Force operated BT-32 variant.
- Royal Air Force - Four T-32 variants impressed from International Air Freight. Not used in service and scrapped at No 30 Maintenance Unit. RAF Sealand.[1]
- United States Army Air Corps operated two YC-30 aircraft.
- United States Marine Corps received one R4C-1 aircraft.
- United States Navy received one R4C-1 aircraft.
Specifications (BT-32)[]
General characteristics
- Length: 49 ft 6 in (15.09 m)
- Wingspan: 82 ft 0 in (24.99 m)
- Height: 16 ft 4 in (4.98 m)
- Wing area: 1,276 ft2 (118.54 m2)
- Empty weight: 11,233 lb (5,095 kg)
- Gross weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Wright SGR-1820-F3 Cyclone radial piston engine, 710 hp (529 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 176 mph (283 km/h)
- Range: 840 miles (1,352 km)
- Service ceiling: 22,000 ft (6,705 m)
Armament
Accidents and incidents[]
- On 27 July 1934, Swissair Condor CH-170 broke up in mid-air and crashed at Tuttlingen, Germany killing all 12 passengers and crew.[1]
See also[]
{{aircontent
- List of military aircraft of the United States
- List of military aircraft of the United States (naval)
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References[]
- Andrade, John M. U.S.Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Earl Shilton, Leicester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9. (Page 63 and 214)
- Bowers, Peter M. Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947. London: Putnam & CompanyLtd., 1979. ISBN 0-370-10029-8.
- Taylor, H.A. "The Uncompetitive Condor" AirEnthusiast Six, March–June 1978. Bromley, Kent, UK: Pilot Press Ltd., 1978.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing, 1985.
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtiss T-32 Condor II. |
- USAF Museum C-30 factsheet
- USAF Museum YC-30 factsheet
- (Spanish) History of the Argentine Naval Aviation CT-32s
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The original article can be found at Curtiss T-32 Condor II and the edit history here.