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

A special member of the Curtiss A-3 / O-1 / F8C Falcon / O2C Helldiver family, this plane had enclosed cockpits and spats. Originally N984V, it was delivered to the USN in November 1930 as a transport for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Aviation, David Ingalls. It was designated XF8C-7, although the X is not painted here, and later XO2C-2. The plate on the cowling reads 'Curtiss Navy Hell-Diver'. The back side of the photograph suggests that it was flown by famous aviator Frank Hawks with actor Will Rogers as his passenger. The two friends were pictured together here on 30 January 1931, so the photo is assumed to have been taken at that time. Photo from: University of Texas at Dallas

1 of 3 at the moment, soon to be 4 for exercises over the next couple of weeks.

Ready to go into the paint shop, by Nov 2016 It was on display painted as AJ-911 of VFP-62

Noted in one of the museum maintenance workshop hangars,

After its military service it had been civil as N5858 until it was cancelled in Dec-2012.

After its military service as A5483 it became civil as NC2172. At Pensacola it was restored with its original serial A5483.

Aircraft is ex USAAC painted to represent a USN NR-1 model