In 1930, the United States Navy ordered a single example of a large flying boat from the Hall-Aluminum Aircraft Corporation, to meet a requirement for an experimental very-long-range patrol aircraft. The resulting design, designated XP2H-1, was a four-engined biplane with an all-aluminum hull, scaled-up from the smaller PH flying boat, which accommodated a crew of six. The wings were of fabric-skinned aluminum construction and were of trapezoidal shape. The water-cooled V-12 Curtiss V-1570 Conqueror engines were mounted in tandem push-pull pairs between the wings, in nacelles attached to the lower wings.[2] [3]
The XP2H-1 first flew on November 15, 1932, and was extensively tested, demonstrating excellent performance, being faster than predicted. It was possible to cruise on just two engines to extend range, and in 1935, the XP2H-1 was used to carry out a nonstop flight between Norfolk, Virginia and Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone. The XP2H-1 took 25 hours and 15 minutes to fly the distance between these two locations.[4] It was destroyed later in the year attempting to alight in open water.[5] No further P2Hs were built, with the US Navy equipping its patrol squadrons with smaller flying boats such as the Consolidated P2Y.