Designed by Robert R. Osborn and Theodore Paul Wright, the Curtiss Model 54 Tanager was an aircraft constructed in 1929 as Curtiss’ entry in the Guggenheim Safe Aircraft Competition organized by Daniel Guggenheim. The purpose of this competition was to create a civilian aircraft with a specific speed range, which allowed at low speeds to avoid accidents with a stall into a tailspin.

In accordance with the requirements of the competition, the minimum safe speed was to be 35 mph (56 km / h) but the requirements also indicated a maximum speed of at least 110 mph (177 km / h). Other specifications included a take-off distance from the starting point to a height of 35 feet (10 meters), not exceeding 500 feet (152 meters), the ability to carry two people for three hours and a payload of at least 5 pounds per horsepower (2, 26 kg / hp).

First flying on 12 October 1929, the Model 54 was a conventional biplane design with a highly streamlined fuselage with a closed cockpit that contained a pilot and two passengers. The wings were fitted with a variety of high-lift devices, including automatic leading edge slots on the upper wing, flaps that extended along the entire span of the upper wing, and “floating” ailerons on the lower wing that, in the absence of pilot input, automatically adjusted themselves parallel to the airflow over the wing. To ensure the possibility of flying at minimum speed, the rear edges of both wings were fully occupied by flaps, and the front edges were fully occupied by Handley Page automatic slats. These devices added 33% and 50% to the total lift coefficient, respectively. The combination of these devices gave the Tanager a stall speed of just 31 mph (50 km/h) and allowed it to land in only 90 ft (27 m). The main landing gear had a large shock absorber designed to absorb loads during rough landings and a reinforced fuselage frame in the cabin.

Only the Tanager and the Handley Page Gugnunc passed the qualifying round of the competition, and ultimately, the Tanager was to beat its rival by only one point to claim the $100,000 (£20,000) prize, the Gugnunc failing to achieve a minimum speed below 38 mph. Even before the competition was decided, however, Handley Page was suing Curtiss for the unlicensed use of the leading-edge slot. Curtiss claimed they were using the slots experimentally and would apply for a license for any commercial use. Curtiss counter-sued Handley Page for infringements of six of their patents in the Handley Page machine. They also cited a ruling that the British machine was not permitted to be imported into the US.

Following the competition, the only Tanager built was destroyed in a fire when sparks from its engine set the grass alight.

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Engine: 1 × Curtiss Challenger, 185 hp (138 kW)
Wingspan: 43 ft 10 in (13.35 m)
Wing area: 333 sq.ft (30.93 sq.m)
Length: 26 ft 8 in (8.12 m)
Height: 11 ft 4 in (3.45 m)
Empty weight: 1,958 lb (888 kg)
Gross weight: 2,841 lb (1,289 kg)
Maximum speed: 112 mph (180 km/h)
Cruise speed: 95 mph (153 km/h)
Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (8,810 m)
Rate of climb: 700 ft/min (3.6 m/s)
Range: 535 miles (861 km)
Crew: one pilot
Capacity: two passengers

Developed in 1925, the Curtiss Model 41 Lark biplane was based on the Curtiss Carrier Pigeon, a purpose-built aircraft for airmail operations. The Lark also had a longer-span lower wing, similar to the Carrier Pigeon. Some models were converted to floatplane configuration with a central mounted pontoon and wing-mounted floats.

It was a four-seater biplane of a mixed design, equipped with a Curtiss C-6 engine with a power of 160 hp. The biplane was made of welded tube with fabric covering. It was available with three engine choices, the Curtiss C-6, the Wright J-4 Whirlwind, and the Wright-Hisso E. All four wing panels were interchangeable, giving the aircraft its unusual longer lower wings.

A 200 hp Wright J-4 variant was tested for the United States Navy with two floats. This installation proved superior in performance to the Curtiss engined model. This version eventually became the basis for the Curtiss Fledgling series of aircraft.

Patrica Airways operated a Lark for early bushplane operations. The aircraft flew with floats in warm weather, and skis in the winter. The aircraft was pressed into service as an early hearse once, with the cargo needing to be seated upside down in the open seat and secured with haywire.

Florida Airways operated a Curtiss Lark Miss Tallahassee on its CAM-10 U.S. airmail route between Miami and Atlanta. The aircraft was bought to take the place of two lost Stout 2-AT Pullman aircraft that could not operate out of the poorly prepared airstrips.

Colonial Air Transport owned the first Curtiss Lark C1052 which was one of the first aircraft to be registered using the new Underwriters Laboratories all-letter system (1921 to 1923). This Lark, a single place special mailplane, registered as N-AABC, was used on the CAM-1 U.S. airmail route.

One other was C1063.

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Engine: 1 × Curtiss C-6, 160 hp (120 kW)
Wingspan: 30 ft 7.5 in (9.335 m)
Wing area: 264.3 sq ft (24.55 sq.m)
Length: 22 ft 2.5 in (6.769 m)
Height: 8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
Empty weight: 1,579 lb (716 kg)
Gross weight: 2,708 lb (1,228 kg)
Maximum speed: 99 kn; 183 km/h (114 mph)
Cruise speed: 84 kn; 156 km/h (97 mph)
Stall: 48 mph
Range: 382 nmi; 708 km (440 mi)
Ferry range: 330 nmi; 612 km (380 mi)
Absolute ceiling: 13,100 ft
Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (3,800 m)
Rate of climb: 860 ft/min (4.4 m/s)
Crew: one

Engine: Wright J-4 Whirlwind, 160 hp
Wing span: 9.34 m
Length: 6.77 m
Height: 2.72 m
Wing area: 24.55 sq.m
Empty weight: 692 kg
MTOW: 1228 kg
Maximum speed: 188 km / h
Cruising speed: 163 km / h
Range: 611 km
Rate of climb: 244 m / min
Ceiling: 3993 m
Crew: 1
Passengers: 3