| Curtiss Robin | |
|---|---|
| Role | Touring |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss-Robertson Airplane Manufacturing Company |
| First flight | August 7, 1928[1] |
| Introduction | 1928 |
| Status | A number still flying[1] |
| Primary user | U. S. Private Owner Market[1] |
| Number built | 769[1] |
| Unit cost | $7,500 U.S. Dollars (1938) |
The Curtiss Robin, introduced in 1928, was a high-wing monoplane with a 90 hp (67 kW) V8 OX-5 8-cylinder engine built by Curtiss-Robertson Airplane Manufacturing Company. It was later fitted with the more powerful Challenger engine, which developed between 170 and 185 hp (127 and 138 kW). NOTE: Model B (90 hp/67 kW Curtiss OX-5 engine), Model C-1 (185 hp/138 kW Curtiss Challenger engine), and Model J-1 (165 hp/123 kW Wright J-6 Whirlwind 5 engine)
The J-1 version was flown by Douglas Corrigan (nicknamed "Wrongway") as well as The Flying Keys.
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The Robin, a workmanlike cabin monoplane had a wooden wing and steel tubing fuselage. The cabin accommodated three persons; two passengers were seated side-by-side behind the pilot. Early Robins were distinguished by large flat fairings over the parallel diagonal wing bracing struts; the fairings were abandoned on later versions, having been found ineffective in creating lift.[1] The original landing gear were bungee rubber cord shock absorbers, later replaced by an oleo-pneumatic system; a number of Robins had twin floats added.
Payload with 50 gal (189 l) fuel was 452 lb (205 kg), cruising speed 102 mph (164 km/h), landing speed 48 mph (77 km/h), gas capacity 50 gal/189 l (25 gal/95 l in each wing tank), oil capacity 5 USgal (19 l; 4 imp gal). Price at factory field was $7,500.
A single modified Robin (with a 110 hp (82 kW) Warner R-420-1) was used by the United States Army Air Corps, and designated XC-10. This aircraft was used in a test program for radio-controlled (and unmanned) flight.[2]
A Curtiss Robin C was purchased by the Paraguayan government in 1932 for the Transport Squadron of its Air Arm. It was intensively used as a VIP transport plane and air ambulance during the Chaco War (1923–1935).
Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947 [7]
General characteristics
Performance
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