Curtiss Model D
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| Curtiss Model D | |
|---|---|
 Curtiss D Pusher |
|
| Type | |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss Aircraft Company |
| Introduced | 1911 |
| Primary users | Exhibition Pilots United States Army Signal Corps |
The Curtiss Model D was an early United States 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.
Contents |
[edit] Development
The Model D was a biplane fitted with a wheeled, tricycle undercarriage. The construction was primarily of spruce, with ash used in parts of the engine bearers and undercarriage beams, with doped linen stretch over it. The outrigger beams are made of bamboo[1]. 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 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, and the canard surface arrangement dispensed with, resulting in what became called the Curtiss "headless" pushers.
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 14 November 1910, Eugene Ely took off from the USS Birmingham in a Model D. This was the first time an aircraft had taken off from a ship[2]. On January 8 1911, Eugene Ely landed a Model D aboard the USS Pennsylvania. This was the first aircraft to land on a ship.
[edit] Variants
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- Model D-4
- with one 40 hp (30 kW) Curtis four-cylinder inline engine[2]
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- Model D-8
- Signal Corps Aeroplane Number 2, one 40 hp (30 kW) Curtis Vee engine, top speed of 60 mph at sea level[2]
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- Model D-8-75
- with one 75 hp (56 kW) Curtis eight-cylinder Vee engine[2]
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- Burgess Model D
- single prototype built under licence by Burgess Company of Marblehead, Massachusetts [3]
[edit] Existing aircraft and reproductions
A number of Curtiss Pusher original and reproduction aircraft exist, and reproductions of the design date as far back to the era when the original aircraft was in production, mostly built by private parties.
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has had a flyable reproduction Model D pusher in their collection since 1976, and has been powered with a Hall-Scott V8 engine earlier in its weekend airshow appearances, and most recently has been powered with a Curtiss OX-5 V8 engine.
[edit] Specifications (Model D Type IV)
General characteristics
- Crew: one, pilot
- Capacity: 1 passenger
- Length: 29 ft 3 in (8.92 m)
- Wingspan: 38 ft 3 in (11.66 m)
- Height: 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m)
- Empty weight: 700 lb (318 kg)
- Loaded weight: 1,300 lb (590 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Curtiss E-4 V8 engine, 60 hp (45 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 43 knots (50 mph, 80 km/h)
- Endurance: 2.5 hours
[edit] References
- ^ "Pioneer Aircraft Early Aviation to 1914" Editor Philip Jarrett, (Putnam Aeronautical Books, 64 Brewery Road, London N7 9NT, ISBN 0851778690), page 154
- ^ a b c d "The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft" cover Editors: Paul Eden & Soph Moeng, (Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152 pp.
- ^ Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions, 216.
[edit] See also
Related development
- AEA June Bug
- Curtiss Golden Flyer
- Curtiss Albany Flyer
- Curtiss Model E
Related lists
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