Curtiss Model S Explained

The Curtiss Model S (also known as Speed Scout or Model 10) was a single-seat fighter aircraft.^[1]

Development and design

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.^[1]

Variants

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.^[2]

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

References

Bibliography

• Book: Angelucci, Enzo . The American Fighter from 1917 to the present . 1987 . Orion Books . New York .
• Book: Bowers, Peter M.. Peter M. Bowers . Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947 . 1979. Putnam . London . 0-370-10029-8 .

Notes and References

1. Angelucci, 1987. pp. 112-113.
2. Bowers 1979, p.133.