The Curtiss-Wright CW-19 was a civil utility aircraft designed in the United States in the mid-1930s and built in small quantities in a number of variants including the CW-23 military trainer prototype.
Design and development
Originally conceived as the Curtiss-Robertson CR-2 Coupe shortly before the Curtiss-Wright merger and the dropping of the Curtiss-Robertson brand, it was an all-metal, low-wing cantilever monoplane of conventional configuration with fixed tailwheel undercarriage and side-by-side seating for two. A prominent feature on all versions other than the original CR-2 prototypes was the large "trouser"-style wheel spats. While the design was never perfected for the civil market it was originally intended for, a militarized version was soon developed that replaced the side-by-side cabin with tandem seating and added provision for guns and bombs.
Operational history
Curtiss-Wright hoped that in this form it could be sold on the export market as a ground-attack machine. But orders were disappointing, with only 20 purchased by the Chinese Air Force and three by the Cuban Air Force. An unarmed trainer version was also developed and offered to the USAAC but no orders were placed. In a final attempt to find a market for the design, engine power was increased from to, and a retractable undercarriage was fitted. In this form, designated CW-23, the aircraft was offered once again to the USAAC, this time as an advanced trainer, but once again the service was not interested. The CW-19 did, however, form the basis of the far more successful CW-21 and CW-22 designs.
Variants
CR-2 - Curtiss-Robertson prototype with strut-braced wing and unfaired undercarriage
Model 19R Attack - single seat with wing mounted guns
Model 19R Advanced Trainer - Pratt&Whittney R-760-E2 or R-975-E3 engine choices.
Model 19R Seaplane - proposed 1936 variant of the 19Q
*Model A19R - military trainer offered to USAAC
*Model B19R - projected civil version of Model A19R
*Model C19R - Amphibian standard trainer R-975-E3
*Model C19R - Amphibian advanced trainer
*Model C19R - Amphibian fighter - One forward gun, one manned gun
*Model C19R - Amphibian photographic aircraft - Fairchild KB-3 camera mount
*Model C19Z - Standard Amphibian or Seaplane trainer - Pratt & Whitney Wasp SC-G
CW-23 - advanced military trainer with Pratt & Whitney R-1340 engine and retractable undercarriage
Operators
received 10 CW-19Rs in 1938, with four remaining in service in 1949.
purchased 20 CW-19Rs.
received five CW-19Rs in 1937, one remaining in service until 1948.
purchased two CW-19Rs in 1937.
received six in 1936, remaining in service until 1943.
Survivors
The plane pictured was originally shipped from La Paz, Bolivia to Patrick AFB on April 12, 1995 by owners Debra Boostrom - Hoedebecke of Dixie Air Supply and Maggie Glendinning-Welch. It arrived via a lift from a Bolivian Air Force C-130 Hercules. It was then trucked to San Antonio, Texas for restoration and preparation for flight to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the annual fly-in. In accordance with the verbal agreement between Debra Boostrom - Hoedebecke and Bolivian government, it was agreed to maintain the current Bolivian markings on the aircraft for historical purposes. Following complete renovation of the engine and aircraft, the CW-19R was flown to the Oshkosh Fly-In in July 1996, where it was bestowed with the Rarest Warbird award.
A single example arrived at Fantasy of Flight on March 22, 2013. Pictured is the plane packed for shipment and ready to start its journey. The plane currently sports Bolivian markings. The plane will enter the Fantasy of Flight maintenance queue and be restored to airworthy status. On February 10, 2014, it flew its first test flight since restoration began.
