Originally designed for land-based use, the Model 34C was virtually identical to the P-1 Hawk in United States Army Air Corps service. The United States Navy ordered nine, but starting with the sixth example, they were strengthened for carrier-borne operations and redesignated Model 34D. Flown from the carriers Langley and Lexington from 1927–30, most of the later variants passed to Marine fighter-bomber units, while a few were flown for a time as twin-float floatplanes.
XF6C-5Model 34H prototype F6C-1 with a Pratt & Whitney R-1690 Hornet radial of 525 hp (391 kW).
F6C-6Model 34E modified for racing, with its radiator located inside the fuselage.
XF6C-6Model 34E the F6C-6 which had won the 1930 Curtiss Marine Trophy was converted to parasol-wing monoplane configuration and given wing surface radiators; after achieving the fastest lap in the 1930 Thompson Trophy race the XF6C-6 crashed when its pilot was overcome by fumes.[1]
XF6C-7Model 34H testbed for an experimental 350 hp (260 kW) Ranger SGV-770C-1 air-cooled inverted Vee engine.
Specifications (F6C-4)
Curtiss F6C-4 3-view drawing from L'Aéronautique October,1927
Data from United States Navy Aircraft since 1911[2]
.png/1280px-Flag_of_the_United_States_(23px).png){kind=small}