Curtiss E 1911 / Pusher / A-2 Owl / E-1 / AX-1
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The USN's second plane, the 1912 patrol amphibian Curtiss A-2, or OWL, was converted from the 1911 Model E landplane. Ordered by the Navy in May 1911 as a standard model E pusher landplane and taken into service as the A-2. With two seats and 50hp Curtiss pusher engine, later replaced by 60hp V-8, it was unofficially dubbed OWL for "Over Water and Land" when experimental wheels were added.
![]() Curtiss A-2
With a modified with cabin enclosure, it was re-designated E-1 in Sept 1913, then AX-1 in March 1914.
The sole example crashed on 27 November 1915 after 91 flights and was scrapped.
![]() OWL-1
Work was begun by Curtiss in late 1913 on the OWL II, while utilising the same model E components, featured a more pointed V-bottom hull and improved housings for the tricycle wheels. The OWL II was reportedly in 1914.
Replica:
Coolbaugh Curtiss-Ely 1911
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