The Curtiss Model J (along with the Curtiss Model N) was a prototype tractor configuration aircraft that became the basis for the Curtiss Jenny series of aircraft.
The Curtiss J was designed by Benjamin D. Thomas. Glenn Curtiss hired Thomas from the Sopwith Aviation Company while on a trip to London, England. He started designing the Model J while overseas, and is also credited with helping design the Model N and the Model H "America".[1] [2] The first flight tests were performed without fuselage covering.[3] In February 1914, after a series of accidents with pusher aircraft, the U.S. Army held a meeting in San Diego expressing interest in tractor design aircraft such as the Model J[4] [5]
The Model J had the engine mounted on the nose of the aircraft with a tractor propeller and was covered with clear doped linen or cotton, with tandem seating and conventional landing gear with a tailskid.[6] The biplane wings were built without dihedral and the upper wing was considerably greater in span than the lower and fitted with ailerons.[7] The Curtiss Model J S.C. No. 30 became the testing prototype for the JN, earning the title as the first "Jenny".
The first prototype was rolled out on 12 March 1914. It was delivered to the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps on 28 July. At the time the entire United States military air fleet consisted of 23 aircraft.[8]
1914 October 8, SN30 flown by Capt. H. Le R. Muller reached a record altitude of 17,441 ft [10]