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Curtiss T-32 Condor II

July 05, 2023

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.

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

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 was 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, respectively, on regular night services for the next three years. The June 15, 1934, American Airlines system timetable marketed its Condors as being "The World's First Complete Sleeper-Planes" with these 12-passenger aircraft being equipped with sleeper berths and also being capable of cruising at 190 miles per hour.[1] An example of the Condor services operated by American were daily overnight flights between Dallas and Los Angeles during the mid-1930s with a routing of Dallas–Ft. Worth–Abilene–Big Spring, TX–El Paso–Douglas, AZ–Tucson–Phoenix–Los Angeles.[2]

The Colombian Air Force operated three BT-32s 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 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

 
A USAAC YC-30 in 1933.
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 for Swissair.
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.
 
Curtiss R4C-1
R4C-1
United States Navy designation for two AT-32Es (one for United States Marine Corps) both later to the United States Antarctic Service.

Operators

Civil operators

  Chile
  China
  Colombia
  • SACO/AVIANCA operated 2
  Switzerland
  United Kingdom
  • International Air Freight, Croydon operated four T-32s.[3]
  United States

Military operators

  Argentina
  China
  Colombia
  Honduras
  Peru
  United Kingdom
  • 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.[3]
  United States

Accidents and incidents

Specifications (AT-32C Condor II)

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947[4]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 flight crew + 1 cabin attendant
  • Capacity: 15 passengers
  • Length: 48 ft 7 in (14.81 m)
  • Wingspan: 82 ft 0 in (24.99 m)
  • Height: 16 ft 4 in (4.98 m)
  • Wing area: 1,208 sq ft (112.2 m2)
  • Airfoil: NACA 2412[5]
  • Empty weight: 12,235 lb (5,550 kg)
  • Gross weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Wright SGR-1820-F2 Cyclone 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 720 hp (540 kW) each at 4,000 ft (1,200 m)
  • Propellers: 3-bladed controllable-pitch propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 190 mph (310 km/h, 170 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 167 mph (269 km/h, 145 kn)
  • Range: 716 mi (1,152 km, 622 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 23,000 ft (7,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s)

See also

Related lists

References

  1. ^ http://www.timetableimages.com, June 1, 1934 American Airlines system timetable.
  2. ^ http://www.timetableimages.com, June 1, 1934 American Airlines system timetable
  3. ^ a b c "The Curtiss Condor". Aeroplane. No. July 2010. IPC Media. 2010. pp. 88–89.
  4. ^ Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. pp. 391–396. ISBN 0370100298.
  5. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Sources

  • 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.
  • Hagedorn, Dan (March–May 1992). "Curtiss Types in Latin America". Air Enthusiast. No. 45. pp. 61–77. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • 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.
  • (in Spanish) History of the Argentine Naval Aviation CT-32s

July 05, 2023
curtiss, condor, 1930s, american, biplane, airliner, bomber, aircraft, built, curtiss, aeroplane, motor, company, used, united, states, army, corps, executive, transport, condor, usaac, 1933role, biplane, transport, bombermanufacturer, curtiss, aeroplane, moto. 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 T 32 Condor IIA USAAC YC 30 in 1933Role Biplane transport and bomberManufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor CompanyFirst flight 30 January 1933Number built 45Developed from B 2 Condor Contents 1 Development 2 Variants 3 Operators 3 1 Civil operators 3 2 Military operators 4 Accidents and incidents 5 Specifications AT 32C Condor II 6 See also 7 References 8 Sources 9 External linksDevelopment EditThe 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 was 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 respectively on regular night services for the next three years The June 15 1934 American Airlines system timetable marketed its Condors as being The World s First Complete Sleeper Planes with these 12 passenger aircraft being equipped with sleeper berths and also being capable of cruising at 190 miles per hour 1 An example of the Condor services operated by American were daily overnight flights between Dallas and Los Angeles during the mid 1930s with a routing of Dallas Ft Worth Abilene Big Spring TX El Paso Douglas AZ Tucson Phoenix Los Angeles 2 The Colombian Air Force operated three BT 32s 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 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 Edit A USAAC YC 30 in 1933 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 for Swissair 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 Curtiss R4C 1 R4C 1 United States Navy designation for two AT 32Es one for United States Marine Corps both later to the United States Antarctic Service Operators EditCivil operators Edit ChileLAN Chile operated three former American Airlines aircraft ChinaChina National Aviation Corporation operated six AT 32E freighters ColombiaSACO AVIANCA operated 2 SwitzerlandSwissair United KingdomInternational Air Freight Croydon operated four T 32s 3 United StatesAmerican Airways subsequently renamed American Airlines Eastern Air Transport subsequently renamed Eastern Air Lines Military operators Edit ArgentinaArgentine Naval Aviation operated three aircraft of the CT 32 variant one as a crew trainer and two as freighters ChinaChinese Nationalist Air Force operated BT 32 variant ColombiaColombian Air Force operated three BT 32 variants on floats HondurasHonduran Air Force PeruPeruvian Air Force operated BT 32 variant United KingdomRoyal Air Force Four T 32 variants impressed from International Air Freight Not used in service and scrapped at No 30 Maintenance Unit RAF Sealand 3 United StatesUnited 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 Accidents and incidents EditOn 27 July 1934 Swissair Condor CH 170 broke up in mid air and crashed at Tuttlingen Germany killing all 12 passengers and crew 3 Specifications AT 32C Condor II EditData from Curtiss Aircraft 1907 1947 4 General characteristicsCrew 2 flight crew 1 cabin attendant Capacity 15 passengers Length 48 ft 7 in 14 81 m Wingspan 82 ft 0 in 24 99 m Height 16 ft 4 in 4 98 m Wing area 1 208 sq ft 112 2 m2 Airfoil NACA 2412 5 Empty weight 12 235 lb 5 550 kg Gross weight 17 500 lb 7 938 kg Powerplant 2 Wright SGR 1820 F2 Cyclone 9 cylinder air cooled radial piston engines 720 hp 540 kW each at 4 000 ft 1 200 m Propellers 3 bladed controllable pitch propellersPerformance Maximum speed 190 mph 310 km h 170 kn Cruise speed 167 mph 269 km h 145 kn Range 716 mi 1 152 km 622 nmi Service ceiling 23 000 ft 7 000 m Rate of climb 1 200 ft min 6 1 m s See also EditRelated lists List of military aircraft of the United States List of United States Navy aircraft designations pre 1962 References Edit http www timetableimages com June 1 1934 American Airlines system timetable http www timetableimages com June 1 1934 American Airlines system timetable a b c The Curtiss Condor Aeroplane No July 2010 IPC Media 2010 pp 88 89 Bowers Peter M 1979 Curtiss aircraft 1907 1947 London Putnam pp 391 396 ISBN 0370100298 Lednicer David The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage m selig ae illinois edu Retrieved 16 April 2019 Sources EditAndrade 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 amp CompanyLtd 1979 ISBN 0 370 10029 8 Hagedorn Dan March May 1992 Curtiss Types in Latin America Air Enthusiast No 45 pp 61 77 ISSN 0143 5450 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 Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtiss T 32 Condor II USAF Museum C 30 factsheet USAF Museum YC 30 factsheet in Spanish History of the Argentine Naval Aviation CT 32s Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Curtiss T 32 Condor II amp oldid 1156410013, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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