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Subject: Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk
Date: 13 Mar 2017 08:07:54 -0700
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_F9C_Sparrowhawk
The Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk was a light 1930s biplane fighter aircraft that was
carried by the United States Navy airships USS Akron and Macon. It is an example
of a parasite fighter, a small airplane designed to be deployed from a larger
aircraft such as an airship or bomber.
On 20 August 1929, off the coast of New Jersey, a biplane hooked itself to the
bottom of a dirigible and was carried along by the larger craft. This is the 2nd
airship USS Los Angeles, under Lt. Com. Herbert Wiley, and a Navy biplane. The
biplane, regulating its speed to that of the dirigible, flew close under the Los
Angeles. A large hook had been attached to the middle of the top wing of the
biplane, and from the bottom of the Los Angeles hung a U-shaped yoke.
Maneuvering the ship under the dirigible, the plane pilot slipped the hook into
The plane pilot, by a cord arrangement in his cabin, withdrew the hook from the
yoke and flew clear of the dirigible.
Although designed as a pursuit plane or fighter, the Sparrowhawk's primary duty
in service was reconnaissance, enabling the airships it served to search a much
wider area of ocean. The Sparrowhawk was primarily chosen for service aboard the
large rigid-framed airships Akron and Macon because of its small size (20.2 ft
(6.2 m) long and with only a 25.5 ft (7.8 m) wingspan), though its weight,
handling and range characteristics, and also downward visibility from the
cockpit, were not ideal for its reconnai
ssance role. The theoretical maximum capacity of the airships' hangar was five
aircraft, one in each hangar bay and one stored on the trapeze but, in the
Akron, two structural girders obstructed the after two hangar bays, limiting her
to a maximum complement of three Sparrowhawks. A modification to remove this
limitation was pending at the time of the airship's loss. Macon had no such
limitation and she routinely carried four airplanes.
For much of their service with the airships, the Sparrowhawks' effectiveness was
greatly hampered by their poor radio equipment, and they were effectively
limited to remaining within sight of the airship. However, in 1934 new
direction-finding sets and new voice radios were fitted which allowed operations
beyond visual range, exploiting the extended range offered by the belly fuel
tanks and allowing the more vulnerable mother ship to stay clear of trouble.
One interesting use of the Sparrowhawks was to act as 'flying ballast'. The
airship could take off with additional ballast or fuel aboard instead of its
airplanes. Once the airship was cruising, the aircraft would be flown aboard,
the additional weight being supported by dynamic lift until the airship
lightened.
Role
Parasite fighter
Manufacturer
Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
First flight
12 February 1931
Introduction
1931
Retired
1937
Status
Retired
Primary user
United States Navy
Number built
at least 7
Specifications (F9C-2)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 20 ft 2.0 in (6.147 m)
Wingspan: 25 ft 6.0 in (7.772 m)
Height: 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
Wing area: 172.79 sq ft (16.053 m2)
Empty weight: 2,089 lb (948 kg)
Gross weight: 2,776 lb (1,259 kg)
(327 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 176.5 mph (284 km/h; 153 kn)
Range: 297 mi (258 nmi; 478 km)
Service ceiling: 19,200 ft (5,900 m)
Rate of climb: 1,700 ft/min (8.6 m/s)
Wing loading: 16 lb/sq ft (78 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.086 hp/lb (0.259 kW/kg)
Armament
*
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