Curtiss Model D

Maximum speed: 50 mph (80 km/h)
Range: endurance of 2.5 hours
Service ceiling: ft ( m)
Rate of climb: ft/min ( m/min)
Wing loading: lb/ft² ( kg/m²)
Power/mass: hp/lb ( kW/kg)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Curtiss Model D was an early US aircraft, and among the first aircraft in the world to be built in any quantity. It was based on Glenn Curtiss' Golden Flyer design of 1909, itself derived from his June Bug of 1908.

The Model D was a biplane fitted with a wheeled, tricycle undercarriage. Like other early aircraft, the airframe was made of wood and bamboo with doped linen stretch over it. Prevented by patents from using the Wright brothers' wing warping technique to provide lateral control, Curtiss used ailerons instead. In the end, this proved to be a superior solution. Almost all Model Ds were constructed with a Pusher configuration, where the propeller is facing backwards, behind the pilot. Because of this configuration, they were often referred to as a "Curtiss pusher". Early examples were built in a canard configuration, with elevators mounted on struts at the front of the aircraft in addition to a horizontal stabilizer at the rear. Later, the elevators were incorporated into the tail unit.

In addition to amateur aviators, Model Ds were purchased by the United States Army and Navy as airborne observation platforms. A number of them were exported to foreign militaries as well, including the Russian Navy. On January 8 1911, Eugene Ely landed a Model D aboard the USS Pennsylvania. This was the first aircraft to land on a ship.