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Not to be confused with the Curtiss B-2 or its 18-passenger Condor airliner development, the Condor was a 15-passenger commercial biplane airliner of the early 1930s, powered by two 529-536.5kW Cyclone radial engines. It enjoyed considerable success and was produced in two versions: for normal daytime flying and as a convertible day- and night-sleeper transport with six compartments, each accommodating two berths/seats. One was used on the Byrd Antarctic Expedition and two were operated by the US Navy as R4C. An all-cargo version was produced as the CT-32.
As a military heavy bomber with troop-carrying and ambulance capability, the Condor was supplied to China. Armament comprised five 7.62mm machine-guns and up to 1,800kg of bombs.
| CREW | 2-4 |
| PASSENGERS | 12-24 |
| ENGINE | 2 x Wright "Cycl. SR-1820-F3", 520kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 7620 kg | 16799 lb |
| Empty weight | 5192 kg | 11446 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 25.9 m | 84 ft 12 in |
| Length | 15.0 m | 49 ft 3 in |
| Height | 4.4 m | 14 ft 5 in |
| Wing area | 125.5 m2 | 1350.87 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 274 km/h | 170 mph |
| Cruise speed | 235 km/h | 146 mph |
| Ceiling | 7150 m | 23450 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 2700 km | 1678 miles |
| Range w/max.payload | 550 km | 342 miles |
| ARMAMENT | 3 machine-guns, 1800kg of bombs |
| Tom Drennan, tdrennan(@)q.com, 22.05.2009 The plane in the picture is a BT-32 bomber while the text is mostly about the airliner making it confusing. The Commercial airliner was known as the Curtiss T-32 Condor. The airliner was a fabric covered airplane, well insulated to make it comfortably warm and quiet for sleepers.
The Boeing 247 was the first of the “modern,” airliners meaning all metal stressed skin construction. I believe both airplanes won Approved Type Certificates the same day, if not it was the same week. I suppose that makes the T-32 the last the old type.
This was an interesting time in aviation. Variable pitch propellers had won approval as reliable, retractable landing gear was catching on and the autopilot was had recently won approval for use on airliners. The airplane had matured as a commercial transport that ought to support itself without government subsidies. From here the airlines were competing with each other, they had been competing with the railroads. | | Sgt.KAR98, 25.06.2008 This plane is bizarre,looks a biplane version of the DC-3. | | Fat Marvin, patriciawilbanks(@)att.net, 25.06.2008 In reply to Jay Bailey's comment, I think it is in Air Enthusiast Quarterly No. 6, page 94 perhaps? | | arthur huseboe, arthur.huseboe(@)augie.edu, 02.07.2007 I am looking for a picture of the Condor that Glenn Curtiss flew in 1930 not long before his death. It is also referred to as the Model 18 Condor. | | Jean Wellington, jean.wellington(@)uc.edu, 24.01.2007 What was the material that covered the metal frame? Canvas or wood or metal? I am particularly interested in the construction of Admiral Byrd's planes. Thank you. | | Jay Bailey, atomiclocomotive(@)hotmail.com, 10.11.2006 Hi, I'm trying to run down any information about one or more Curtiss Condors in use in the 1930s by the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. It's my understanding that an Air Enthusiast Quarterly has some mention of this aircraft or aircrafts. I am trying to compile enough information for an article in the Narrow Gauge & Shortline Gazette, a bi-monthly magazine specializing in light and industrial rail prototype and model subjects. Any leads on the above subject was be appreciated; and I would consider a (modest) financial reward as well as a printed credit for any photos, drawings or the like. Sincerely yours, Jay Bailey |
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Do you have any comments about this aircraft ?
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