Curtiss Model S

<h2 id="development-and-design">Development and design</h2>
<p>The Model S was Curtiss' first attempt at a fast and maneuverable single-seat fighter. The first variant, S-1, had disappointing performance. In March 1917, new wings were attached to the S-1 fuselage and the project was redesignated S-2. In 1917, the S-3 became the first triplane in service in the United States. In 1918 and 1919, Curtiss experimented with seaplane versions of the S-3, designated S-4 and S-5. The S-6 was intended to be an improved S-3, but performance was poor and of the 12 ordered by the USASC, only 1 was delivered.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a>
</p>
<h2 id="variants">Variants</h2>

S-1 Speed Scout
Biplane, unarmed
S-2 Wireless
Biplane, updated S-1 lacked wing wires. First flight in March 1917.
S-3
Model 10 - Triplane derived from S-2. Four built.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a>
S-4
Model 10A - Seaplane version of S-3 with 2 main floats
S-5
Model 10B - Seaplane version of S-3 with 1 main central float and two wingtip floats.
S-6
Model 10C - Triplane, improved S-3
<h2 id="specifications-s-3">Specifications (S-3)</h2>
<p><i>Data from</i> <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a></p><p>General characteristics
</p><ul><li>Crew: 1</li>
<li>Length: 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m)</li>
<li>Wingspan: 25 ft 0 in (7.62 m)</li>
<li>Height: 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m)</li>
<li>Wing area: 142.6 sq ft (13.25 m2)</li>
<li>Empty weight: 970 lb (440 kg)</li>
<li>Gross weight: 1,320 lb (599 kg)</li>
<li>Powerplant: 1 × <a href="/facts/Curtiss_OXX/mENhx0UM">Curtiss OXX</a>-3 , 100 hp (75 kW)</li></ul>
<p>Performance
</p>
<ul><li>Maximum speed: 115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn)</li>
<li>Service ceiling: 16,500 ft (5,029 m)</li></ul>

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Bibliography
<ul><li>Angelucci, Enzo (1987). <i>The American Fighter from 1917 to the present</i>. New York: Orion Books.</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Peter_M._Bowers/tT1EbYVp">Bowers, Peter M.</a> (1979). <i>Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947</i>. London: Putnam. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 0-370-10029-8.</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>Angelucci, 1987. pp. 112-113. <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>Angelucci, 1987. pp. 112-113. <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>Bowers 1979, p.133. <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:4"><p>Angelucci, 1987. pp. 112-113. <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

Curtiss Model S open-in-new

Curtiss Model S