Discover

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.

Contents

Development

Variants

Specifications (Model D Type IV)

References

Related content

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 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 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.

Variants

:;Model D-4: with one 40 hp (30 kW) Curtis four-cylinder inline engine^[2]
:;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]
:;Model D-8-75: with one 75 hp (56 kW) Curtis eight-cylinder Vee engine^[2]
:;Burgess Model D:single prototype built under licence by Burgess Company of Marblehead, Massachusetts ^[6]

Specifications (Model D Type IV)

References

1. "Pioneer Aircraft Early Aviation to 1914" Editor Philip Jarrett, (Putnam Aeronautical Books, 64 Brewery Road, London N7 9NT, ISBN 0851778690), page 154
2. "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.
3. "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.
4. "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.
5. "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.
6. Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation, , Michael J. H., Taylor, Studio Editions, 1989,

Related content