Curtiss Aircraft Books - History, Types and Construction

Curtiss 1907-1947

NEW

Curtiss made significant contributions to firmly establish the U.S. aircraft industry on the global stage, with Glenn Hammond Curtiss as a driving force. By World War One's end, the company had produced over 10,000 aircraft. Glenn Curtiss served as a director until his death in 1930.
In 1929, the company merged into Curtiss-Wright. However, insufficient investment in research and development as the jet age approached led to Curtiss-Wright's premature decline.

Although Curtiss-Wright's aircraft leading up to World War Two were not top-tier in performance, their efficient, cost-effective manufacturing approach enabled the production of substantial quantities for diverse customers, including foreign markets. Yet, their sole attempt to enter the jet aircraft field in 1947 ended in failure, resulting in the sale of their aviation division to North American Aviation.

This new edition of Aeroplane's Curtiss Company Profile 1907-1947 presents a comprehensive overview of Curtiss' aircraft production from inception to conclusion, highlighting their role in the aviation industry's growth and challenges in a concise 150-word format.

Information

Details:	160 pages, 24.5 x 17 cm / 9.7 x 6.7 in, paperback
Illustrations:	110 b&w photos
Publisher:	Key Publishing Ltd (GB, 2023)
ISBN:	9781802823738

Curtiss Fighter Aircraft : A Photographic History - 1917-1948

Making use of primary Curtiss documents, as well as the combined resources of the world's leading historians of the subject, the authors have skillfully resolved myths and woven a comprehensive study of the often very confusing story of these classic airplanes.
Making use of previously unpublished documents and photographs, this massive, life-long work will stand as a legacy to the memory of those wonderful shapes, the men and women who built them, flew them and took them to war, and the lasting contributions they have made, collectively, to aviation history and the defense of democracy.

Information

Author:	Francis H. Dean, Dan Hagedorn
Details:	384 pages, 28.5 x 22.5 x 3.4 cm / 11.2 x 8.9 x 1.34 in, hardback
Illustrations:	500+ b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2006)
ISBN:	9780764325809

Glenn Curtiss - Pioneer of Flight

Glenn Curtiss (1878-1930) was a self-taught aeronautical engineer, a self-­made industrialist, and one of the first airplane pilots, the model for "Tom Swift."
C. R. Roseberry's biography begins with Curtiss's years in Hammondsport, New York, his experiments with designing and learning to fly his own airplanes, and his many "firsts" in aviation history. Establishing one of the first aviation schools, Curtiss also developed a highly successful aviation company and designed one of the most popular early American planes - the Curtiss JN-4 (the "Jenny").

More than just a biography, this is also a well-documented history of the development of aviation and the key figures associated with it during the first three crucial decades of this century. Through an examination of Curtiss's dealings with people such as Alexander Graham Bell, his original partner, and Wilbur and Orville Wright, his most important rivals, Roseberry provides insight into the overall development of flight in America.
Aviation enthusiasts, historians, those interested in American technology and industry, and all who enjoy a good story will welcome this book.

Information

Author:	C.R. Roseberry
Details:	576 pages, 23 x 15.5 x 3 cm / 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.18 in, hardback
Illustrations:	102 b&w photos
Publisher:	Syracuse University Press (USA, 1991)
ISBN:	9780815602644

Curtiss Hydroaeroplane - The U.S. Navy's First Airplane 1911-1916

This is the first book to detail the design and service history of the U.S. Navy's first airplane, and presents the formative years of naval aviation between 1911-1916.
The Curtiss Hydroaeroplane, made history as the first airplane to serve with the U.S. Navy, the Imperial Russian Navy and the Japanese Navy. Contained here are: newly created detailed drawings of the airplane, engine and its parts; highlights of the contributions of the airplane's designer, Glenn Curtiss, and his mentors.

Information

Author:	Bob Woodling
Details:	256 pages, 28.5 x 23 x 2.4 cm / 11.2 x 9.1 x 0.94 in, hardback
Illustrations:	illustrated
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2011)
ISBN:	9780764337628

SB2C Helldiver: Curtiss's Carrier-Based Dive Bomber in World War II (Legends of Warfare)

While initally labeled as a troublesome aircraft, the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver went on to be noted for striking more Japanese targets than any other US Navy dive bomber. Despite this, the Helldiver was to be the last of a long line of US Navy dive bombers.

The development, production, and combat use of the many variations of the Helldiver are examined, including experimental variants that did not progress beyond the prototype stage.
Profusely illustrated with war-era photographs, both black-and-white and color, which are augmented with beautiful color photos of the only remaining flyable example, this book provides the reader with a concise yet thorough study of this legendary aircraft. Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

Information

Author:	David Doyle
Details:	112 pages, 23 x 23 x 1.8 cm / 9.1 x 9.1 x 0.71 in, hardback
Illustrations:	139 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2020)
Series:	Legends of Warfare
ISBN:	9780764359699

The Curtiss X-planes - Curtiss-Wright's VTOL Effort 1958-1965

A lavishly illustrated story of Curtiss Wright Corporation's 1950s and 1960s efforts in developing a vertical takeoff (VTOL) aircraft. The author, an insider who headed preliminary design work, gives a brief history of Curtiss Wright, and of the Curtiss Propeller Division that spawned the program, then follows with the development details of the X-100 concept demonstrator and the follow-on X-19 military aircraft.
Photos and detailed design descriptions are provided, as well as test flights and test pilot's reports, and finally, never before seen advanced military and civil VTOL aircraft concepts studies.

Information

Author:	Francis H. Dean
Details:	176 pages, 28.5 x 22.5 x 2 cm / 11.2 x 8.9 x 0.79 in, hardback
Illustrations:	over 340 b&w and colour photos, drawings
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2004)
ISBN:	9780764314346