Curtiss Model R

what is it?

The Curtiss Model R was a utility aircraft produced for the United States Army and Navy during World War I. It was a conventional, two-bay biplane with slightly staggered wings of unequal span. The aircraft was provided with two open cockpits in tandem and fixed tailskid undercarriage, but many were built for the Navy with twin floats replacing the wheels. During the course of the war, Model Rs were used for general liaison and communication duties, as well for observation, training, and as air ambulances.

base stats

• speed 138 km/htop speed
• seats 1passengers
• size 1,403 kgmax take-off weight
• built 290made in total

Bars compare against all aircraft: 3,500 km/h, 20,000 km, 850 seats; size and number built on a log scale up to 640 t (An-225) and 45,000 built (Cessna 172).

fun facts

• 🎂First flew 111 years ago, in 1915.

piston: A car-like piston engine turning a propeller: simple and cheap, the classic small plane.

spec sheet

first flight

1915

number built

290

role

military utility aircraft

makers

Curtiss

engines

1× Curtiss V-X

crew

1

passengers

1

length

7.4 m

max take-off weight

1,403 kg

top speed

138 km/h

range

—

Specs are for the version in the Wikipedia article's specification section. Blank means the sources don't say.