Carrying a crew of two, it was as fast as the standard pursuit aircraft in service at the time.

Originally built as an in-house venture as the Curtiss Model 76, powered by two experimental Wright XR-1510 radial engines, flight testing was sufficiently impressive that after the USAAC appraisal the Model 76 was returned to Curtiss and fitted with two 775 hp (578 kW) Wright R-1670-5 Whirlwind engines with two-position variable-pitch propellers.

[3] The Model 76 was of all-metal construction with an oval section semimonocoque fuselage, described as "pencil slim".

[4] In July 1936, 13 developed versions, re-engined with two 850 hp (630 kW) Wright R-1820-47 Cyclone 9-cylinder radials, were ordered into production as the Y1A-18.

[3] Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947[5]General characteristics Performance Armament