Curtiss T-32 Condor / BT-32 / CT-32 Condor / R4C
Not to be confused with the Curtiss B-2 or its 18-passenger Condor airliner development, the Condor was a 15-passenger commercial biplane airliner of the early 1930s, powered by two 529-536.5kW Cyclone radial engines. It was produced in two versions: for normal daytime flying and as a convertible day- and night-sleeper transport with six compartments, each accommodating two berths/seats.
In 1933 American Airlines began flying the 18 seat Curtis Condor, the first US sleeper plane.
Two went to the USN as R4C in 1934 for Antarctic service. One was used on the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. They were transferred to the USMC in 1935. Two were operated as R4C-1 (9584 & 9585). Both R4C-1s were abandoned to the snowdrifts in 1941 by the US Antarctic Service, and at least one is still down there somewhere.
An all-cargo version was produced as the CT-32.
As a military heavy bomber with troop-carrying and ambulance capability, the Condor was supplied to China. Armament comprised five 7.62mm machine-guns and up to 1,800kg of bombs.
T-32 Condor
AT-32-C
BT-32
Crew: 2-4
Passengers: 12-24
Engine: 2 x Wright "Cycl. SR-1820-F3", 520kW
Take-off weight: 7620 kg / 16799 lb
Empty weight: 5192 kg / 11446 lb
Wingspan: 25.9 m / 84 ft 12 in
Length: 15.0 m / 49 ft 3 in
Height: 4.4 m / 14 ft 5 in
Wing area: 125.5 sq.m / 1350.87 sq ft
Max. Speed: 274 km/h / 170 mph
Cruise speed: 235 km/h / 146 mph
Ceiling: 7150 m / 23450 ft
Range w/max.fuel: 2700 km / 1678 miles
Range w/max.payload: 550 km / 342 miles
Armament: 3 machine-guns, 1800kg of bombs
Curtiss BT-32 Condor
