When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Allan Loughead went to Washington, D.C. to try to get a Navy contract to build the F-1 in quantity.[1] The Navy informed Loughead that it would purchase only previously approved designs.[3] Later, Loughead said of this visit, "Down there I lost all the patriotism I ever had."[3] However, he did return with a contract to build two Curtiss flying boats and an agreement for the Navy to test the F-1.[3]