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Home > Fact Sheets > Curtiss YC-30
CURTISS YC-30
In the spring of 1933, the Army Air Corps tested the prototype Curtiss T-32 "Condor II" twin engine biplane transport. The plane was quickly designed and produced to fill a need for a larger capacity commercial airliner. The Curtiss-Wright company hoped to sell the type before more advanced types being designed entered service (i.e. the Douglas DC-2).
During the early 1930s, the Army General Staff still believed that a large biplane was more reliable than a monoplane aircraft, so two T-32 transports were purchased with the designation YC-30. The plane featured a retractable landing gear operated by electric motors making it among the first transports with retractable landing gear. The YC-30 also had many access panels designed for easy and speedy ground maintenance tasks. The basic structure of the YC-30 was a steel and aluminum alloy framework and fabric covering.
The first YC-30 (S/N 33-320) was received by the Air Corps on May 12, 1933. Both planes were initially used as VIP transports and then as regular staff transports until withdrawn from service in 1938.
| Type |
Number built/
converted |
Remarks |
| YC-30 |
2 |
Twin engine biplane |
| C-30 |
- |
Redesignation after testing completed |
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Engines: Two Wright R-1820-23 radials of 650 hp each
Maximum speed: 161 mph
Cruising speed: 130 mph
Range: 720 miles
Service ceiling: 23,000 ft.
Span: 82 ft. 0 in.
Length: 50 ft. 4 in.
Height: 16 ft. 4 in.
Weight: 17,500 lbs. maximum gross weight
Crew: Three (pilot, co-pilot, navigator/engineer)
Passenger capacity: 15
Serial numbers: 33-320 and 33-321
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