The Curtiss N-9H was a seaplane version of the famous Curtiss JN-4D trainer used by the U.S. Air Service during the First World War. During the war, 2,500 Navy pilots were trained on the N-9H. In addition to training a generation of Navy pilots, the N-9H was used to develop tactics for ship-borne aircraft operations in 1916 and 1917, using catapults mounted on armored cruisers. After the war, an N-9 was again employed to successfully demonstrate a compressed air turntable catapult.

The Burgess Company in Marblehead, Massachusetts built 460 Curtiss N-9 seaplane trainers. Photo from: National Museum of the US Navy

Seaplane variant of the Curtiss Jenny. Note the beautifully crafted central float. Wind tunnel research was employed in the succesful redesign of the aircraft. The N-9 was apparently the first seaplane to perform a looping.

US Navy 1916-built single-float biplane wearing the early nationality markings. Its serial is unknown.