Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the air superiority fighters category.
01 / Overview
Curtiss-Wright CW-21
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1939–1940
Quantity
62
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS · WORLD WAR II
67
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
88
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the air superiority fighters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
- First Flight1938
- Service Entry Year1939
- Crew1
- Primary RoleFighter‑interceptor
- Generation1930s
◈Powerplant6MOD.6
- Engine TypeWright R-1820-G5 Cyclone
- Engine ModelWright R‑1820‑G5
- Number of Engines1
- Thrust (dry, each)76
- AfterburnerNo
- Internal Fuel350 kg
▣Performance10MOD.10
- Top Speed505.289 km/h
- Top Speed (Mach)0.73 Mach
- Cruise Speed453.794 km/h
- Stall Speed120 km/h
- Service Ceiling10,454.64 m
- Ferry Range1,200 km
- Combat Radius300 km
- Rate of Climb22.86 m/s
- G-Limit6
- Takeoff Run300 m
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
- Length8.23 m
- Wingspan9.6 m
- Height2.9 m
- Wing Area13.5
- Empty Weight1,534.075 kg
- Loaded Weight3,200 kg
- Max Takeoff Weight3,400 kg
◆Armament8MOD.8
- Hardpoints2
- Weapons Payload200 kg
- Internal Gun2× .50 in (12.7 mm) and 2× .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns
- Internal Weapons BayNo
- Air-to-Air MissilesYes
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
- Anti-Ship MissilesNo
- Nuclear CapableNo
▤Avionics & Stealth7MOD.7
⬢Production3MOD.3
- Total Built62
- Operators2
- Variants3
▲Service History4MOD.4
- Retirement Year1945
- Production Start1939
- Production End1940
- Operational StatusRetired
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
- 1939Production started
- 1940Production ended
87
years in service
1
years in production
62
units produced
04 / MASS Score
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS RANKING Air Superiority Fighters · World War II
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
273AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS67WORLD WAR II · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS2265UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS75PERFORMANCE/PRICE · AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
ⓘ Rankings are within theAir Superiority Fighterscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE1terms
Air-to-air missiles are guided missiles fired from aircraft to engage other aircraft. They are used for self-defense and to gain air superiority.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources