Of the 100 Curtiss R-2 reconnaissance biplanes purchased by the R.N.A.S. only about half a dozen are thought to have become operational. Others were used for training, and, the example illustrated, 3510, for W/T experiments.

In 1916 the Royal Naval Air Service took first delivery of one hundred U.S.-built Curtiss R-2 (160-h.p. Curtiss VX water-cooled eight-cylinder Vee) two-seat reconnaissance biplanes with a maximum speed of 86 m.p.h. for a.u.w. of 2,800 lb. Span
47 ft. II in.; length 28 ft . II in.