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The Curtiss XP-17 was the designation given to the first P-1 when it was used to test a Curtiss Wright Tornado engine. The first P-1 (25-410) was used for tests throughout its career, but kept the P-1 designation until 1930. In that year a 480hp Curtiss V-1470 inverted V-12 engine was installed in the aircraft and it was given the designation XP-17. Tests began in June 1930 and focused on the engine rather than the aircraft itself.
The same aircraft had been used for other engine tests without getting a new designation - in 1926 it had been given an Allison inverted air cooled V-12 and was entered in the 1926 air race, but remained a P-1.
Engine: Curtiss Wright V-1470-3 Tornado inverted air-cooled engine
Power: 480hp
Crew: 1
Span: 31ft 6in
Length: 22ft 10in
Height: 8ft 7in
Empty weight: 2,204lb
Gross weight: 2,994lb
Max speed: 165mph at sea level, 161mph at 5,000ft
Climb Rate: 8 mins to 10,000ft