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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950117-09-000636.txt : 20090522
<SEC-HEADER>0000950117-09-000636.hdr.sgml : 20090522
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090521074535
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950117-09-000636
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090519
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090521
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090521

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BENANTE MARTIN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001208946

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-00134
		FILM NUMBER:		09844041

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CURTISS WRIGHT CORP
		STREET 2:		1200 WALL ST WEST
		CITY:			LYNDHURST
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07071

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CURTISS WRIGHT CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000026324
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISC INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT [3590]
		IRS NUMBER:				130612970
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10 WATERVIEW BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			PARSIPPANY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07054
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9735413700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10 WATERVIEW BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			PARSIPPANY
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07054
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rsr_16638.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-05-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000026324</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CURTISS WRIGHT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CW</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001208946</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BENANTE MARTIN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O CURTISS-WRIGHT CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>10 WATERVIEW BOULEVARD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PARSIPPANY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07054</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Executive Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>33123</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>28.77</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>83438.228</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-05-20</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>16861</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>29.20</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>66577.228</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option to Purchase Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>28.80</value>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-11-17</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-11-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>352113</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>352113</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were acquired through a performance share grant under the Company's 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan, whereby the executive received a predetermined number of shares of Curtiss-Wright Common Stock based on the Company's aggregated three year performance to its budget and its aggregated three year performance against the performance of its peer group.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Based on the May 19th, 2009 closing price on the New York Stock Exchange for Curtiss-Wright Common Stock, the date on which the shares vested.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Shares were sold in compliance with the Company's share ownership guidelines whereby the executive may sell one half of the vested shares to pay individual income tax obligations associated with the vesting of the award.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Weighted average selling price of shares sold on May 20, 2009.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Average exercise price for previously issued stock option grants.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Paul J. Ferdenzi by Power of Attorney for Martin R. Benante</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-05-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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