Curtiss-Wright CW-21

[No.1]

The Curtiss-Wright Model 21 (also known as the Curtiss-Wright Model 21 Demonstrator, the Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Interceptor, the Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon) was a United States-built interceptor fighter aircraft, developed by the St. Louis Airplane Division of Curtiss-Wright Corporation during the 1930s.

Some images here of Dutch machine

[Nico Braas]

According to Dan Hagedorn from NASM the name 'Demon' was never officially used neither by Army Air Corps, nor by Curtiss . It seems it was 'invented' much later by aviation reporters.
By the Dutch in Netherlands Eas Indies it was know as the 'Interceptor' for very obvious reasons!
In spite of its very high rate of climb the plane was an operational failure because of its light construction. Fighters that did much better were the Curtiss Model 75 Hawk and the Brewster Buffalo.
Last was taken up in a book called 'The World's worst aircraft' but in fact it did very well. It was not a high performer, but it was of very rugged construction and could absorb a lot of punishment. Also Finnish pilots rated the Buffalo as a good fighter!

[No.1]

As well you said interceptor, here you are some commercial of the time...

[Sall]

You are on right place as always No.1

[Second Air Force]

Excellent photos of the Interceptor!

I must agree totally with Nico--the "Demon" name was added later on. A book I've read pertaining to the Flying Tigers and the Chinese Air Force mentions these airplanes as "Curtiss fighters" but not much more.

Just looking at that tiny fuselage forward of the empennage would give one an uneasy feeling, especially with that huge 1820 hanging off the front of the airplane!

On the subject of the Buffalo--the U.S. Navy, typically for the period, kept adding armor and other equipment to the airplane until they ruined a pretty good design. I've always been fascinated with the success the Finns had with an airplane so unliked in the States.

[g-1reaper]

The British didn't like the Buffalo much either. But when Dutch aircrew visited Singapore, the British were very much surprised when they flew a Dutch Buffalo. It wasn't armoured as much as the British and had greater power.

[Second Air Force]

I don't have the exact figures at hand, but the F2A-2 and Buffalo Mk.1 had a gross weight of around 6500 pounds with 1100 horsepower. The Dutch machines were almost 1000 pounds lighter and the last couple dozen ships had 1200 h.p. Compared to the American and British airplanes I'd bet the ML-KNIL 339s and 439s felt like rocketships!

I tip my hat to the Finns and Dutch for getting the most out of the Brewster design!

[Nico Braas]

Just for historical interest: two nice images of the Dutch Buffalo before delivery still with its civil US registration.