On a dark and rainy day..

Built by Curtiss-Wright at Buffalo, NY and taken into service with the USN in April 1933, this BFC-2 dive bomber's first assignment was to Battle Force (Pacific Fleet) at North Island. In July 1933, it was assigned to VF-1B. It is displayed as it later operated with Bombing Squadron 2B (VB-2B) on the USS Langley, Lexington and Saratoga from 1934 to 1938. The squadron is the oldest active Navy unit, now operating as VFA-14 "Tophatters" with the F/A-18E, while the name Goshawk also lives on in the form of the McDonnell Douglas T-45, many of which are locally based

Marked as a BFC-2 from Bombing Squadron 2B (VB-2B) aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3) circa 1933-35. The a/c was on display next to the atrium in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (VFA-14), currently flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet. In the long lineage of VFA-14 was VB-2B and the BFC-2, another dual role aircraft. VFA-14 is the longest continuously serving squadron in Naval Aviation.

A new arrival at the museum at the time.

1934-built Curtiss Model 64 Goshawk carrier-borne 'Bomber-Fighter' biplane - hence the BFC designation, with the 'C' denoting a Curtiss design.