Engineering:Curtiss Robin

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Curtiss Robin
Curtiss Robin 1.JPG
A Curtiss Robin in the Seattle museum of flight, 2011
Role Touring
Manufacturer Curtiss-Robertson Airplane Manufacturing Company
First flight 7 August 1928[1]
Introduction 1928
Status A number still flying[1]
Primary user U. S. Private Owner Market[1]
Number built 769[1]

The Curtiss Robin, introduced in 1928, was a high-wing monoplane built by the Curtiss-Robertson Airplane Manufacturing Company. The J-1 version was flown by Wrongway Corrigan who crossed the Atlantic after being refused permission.

Design

The Robin, a workmanlike cabin monoplane, had a wooden wing and steel tubing fuselage. The cabin accommodated three persons; two passengers were seated side-by-side behind the pilot. Early Robins were distinguished by large flat fairings over the parallel diagonal wing bracing struts; the fairings were abandoned on later versions, having been found to be ineffective in creating lift.[1] The original landing gear had bungee rubber cord shock absorbers, later replaced by an oleo-pneumatic system; a number of Robins had twin floats added.[2] Variants of the Robin were fitted with engines which developed 90–185 hp (67–138 kW).[2]

Operational history

The aircraft Curtiss Robin "St. Louis" (right) during a record endurance flight 13-30 July 1929, at St. Louis, Missouri, flown by Dale Jackson and Forest O'Brine for 17 days, 12 hours, 17 minutes

A single modified Robin (with a 110 hp (82 kW) Warner R-420-1) was used by the United States Army Air Corps, and designated the XC-10. This aircraft was used in a test program for radio-controlled (and unmanned) flight.[2]

Cuba's national airline, Compañía Nacional Cubana de Aviación Curtiss, was founded in 1929 with the Curtiss-Wright company serving as its co-founder and major investor. The airline's first aircraft was a Curtiss Robin and it was flown on domestic routes as a mail and passenger transport.

From September 1929 to May 1930 a Robin C-1 was used to deliver the McCook, Nebraska Daily Gazette to communities in rural Nebraska and Kansas. The airplane flew a nonstop route of 380 miles (610 km) daily, dropping bundles of newspapers from a height of 500 feet (150 m) to local carriers.[3]

A Curtiss Robin C was purchased by the Paraguayan government in 1932 for the transport squadron of its air arm. It was intensively used as a VIP transport plane and air ambulance during the Chaco War (1932–1935).

Variants (Model 50)

Data from:Curtiss aircraft : 1907-1947[2]

Challenger Robin
(Model 50A) An early version of the Robin, powered by a 165 hp (123 kW) Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine.
Comet Robin
One Robin was converted by its owner in 1937, fitted with a 150 hp (110 kW) Comet 7-D radial piston engine.
Robin
(Model 50A) Prototypes and initial production aircraft powered by 90 hp (67 kW) Curtiss OX-5 engines.
Robin B
A three-seat cabin monoplane, fitted with wheel brakes and a steerable tailwheel, powered by a 90 hp (67 kW) Curtiss OX-5 V-8 engine; about 325 were built.
Robin B-2
A three-seat cabin monoplane, powered by a 150–180 hp (110–130 kW) Wright-Hisso "A","E" and "I" V-8 water-cooled piston engine.
Robin C
A three-seat cabin monoplane, powered by a 170 hp (130 kW) or 185 hp (138 kW) Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; about 50 built.
1929 Curtis Robin C-1 used for the movie Pearl (modified with an R-680)
Robin C-1
(Model 50C) An improved version of the Robin C, powered by a 185 hp (138 kW) Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; over 200 built.
Robin C-2
(Model 50D) A long-range version fitted with an extra fuel tank, powered by a 170 hp (130 kW) Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; six built.
Robin 4C
(Model 50E) A four-seat version, powered by a Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; one built.
Robin 4C-1
A three-seat version with an enlarged forward fuselage section; three built.
Robin 4C-1A
(Model 50G) Another four-seat version with an enlarged forward fuselage section; 11 built.
Robin 4C-2
A single un-certified version powered by a 225 hp (168 kW) Wright J-6-7 Whirlwind engine.
Robin CR
A one-off experimental version, fitted with a 120 hp (89 kW) Curtiss Crusader engine.
Robin J-1
(Model 50H) Powered by a 165 hp (123 kW) Wright J-6-5 Whirlwind radial piston engine; about 40 built.
Robin J-2
(Model 50I) A long-range version, with 80 US gal (67 imp gal; 300 l) fuel. Two were built
Robin J-3
A J-1 temporarily designated J-3, which reverted to the J-1 designation after being de-modified.
Robin M
A Robin B aircraft, fitted with the 115 hp (86 kW) Milwaukee Tank V-502 V-8 engine (air-cooled OX-5 conversions).
Robin W
(Model 50J) Powered by a 110 hp (82 kW) Warner Scarab radial piston engine. Only a small number were built in 1930.
The XC-10 in 1930
XC-10
One Robin W was sold to the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) and converted into an unmanned pilot-less radio-controlled test aircraft, powered by a 110 hp (82 kW) Warner R-420-1.

Operators

Military operators

 Paraguay
 United States
  • United States Army Air Corps

Surviving aircraft

Curtis Robin B-2 display

Australia

  • 477 – J-1 airworthy with John Graeme Vevers of Patterson Lakes, Victoria.[4]

Brazil

  • 248 – C-2 in storage at the TAM Museum in São Carlos, São Paulo.[5]

Canada

Costa Rica

  • C-1 on display at the Juan Santamaría International Airport domestic terminal in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Germany

  • 130 – J-1 airworthy with Antique Aeroflyers in Mengen, Baden-Württemberg.[7][8]

United States

Curtiss Robin at the Air Zoo
  • 193 – B airworthy at the Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.[9][10][11]
  • 213 – B airworthy at the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.[12][13]
  • 329 – B-1 on static display at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in San Diego, California.[14]
  • 337 – C-1 on static display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.[15][16][17]
  • 403 – B-2 on display at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.[18][19]
  • 469 – C-1 on display at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.[20][21]
  • 628 – C-1 on static display at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.[22]
  • 712 – 4C-1A on display at the Western North Carolina Air Museum in Hendersonville, North Carolina.[23][24]
  • 733 – J-1D on display at the Shannon Air Museum in Fredericksburg, Virginia.[25][26] It was previously on display at the Virginia Aviation Museum.[27]
  • 737 – J-1 airworthy with Brian T. Coughlin of Cazenovia, New York.[28] It is based at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.[citation needed]
  • J-1 Ole Miss (US registration NR526N) on static display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. that set the aviation endurance record in 1935 (continuously airborne June 4-July 1), which it held for 4 years.[29]
  • On static display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York. It has floats in place of wheeled landing gear.[30]
  • On display at the Air Zoo in Portage, Michigan.[31][32][33]
  • On display at the Eagles Mere Air Museum in Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania.[34]
  • On static display at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York.[35]
  • On display at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum in Maryland Heights, Missouri.[36]
  • Under restoration at the Candler Field Museum in Williamson, Georgia.[37] Now owned and operated by Capt. Buerk’s Living History Museum in New Hampshire.
  • Under restoration at the Port Townsend Aero Museum in Port Townsend, Washington.[38]

Specifications (Robin OX-5)

Curtiss Robin 3-view drawing from Aero Digest October 1928

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947,[2] Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928[39]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 2 pax / 425 lb (193 kg) payload
  • Length: 25 ft 9 in (7.85 m)
  • Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.5 m)
  • Height: 7 ft 10 in (2.4 m)
  • Wing area: 262.5 sq ft (24.39 m2)
  • Airfoil: Curtiss C-72[40]
  • Empty weight: 1,475 lb (669 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,175 lb (987 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 50 US gal (42 imp gal; 190 l) fuel; 5 US gal (4.2 imp gal; 19 l) oil
  • Powerplant: 1 × Curtiss OX-5 V-8 water-cooled piston engine, 90 hp (67 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 99.7 mph (160.5 km/h, 86.6 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 85 mph (137 km/h, 74 kn)
  • Landing speed: 45 mph (39 kn; 72 km/h)
  • Range: 785 mi (1,263 km, 682 nmi) cruising; 580 mi (500 nmi; 930 km) at full throttle
  • Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (3,800 m)
  • Rate of climb: 450 ft/min (2.3 m/s)
  • Time to altitude: 3,800 ft (1,200 m) in 10 minutes
  • Wing loading: 8.2 lb/sq ft (40 kg/m2)
  • Power/mass: 0.0465 hp/lb (0.0764 kW/kg)

See also

Related development

Related lists

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Eden, Paul; Moeng, Soph (2002). The complete encyclopedia of world aircraft. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Books. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1. http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/5490000/5496066.gif. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft : 1907-1947. London: Putnam. pp. 172, 377–86. ISBN 0-370-10029-8. 
  3. ↑ "Curtiss-Robertson Robin C-1" (in en). Museum of flight. http://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/curtiss-robertson-robin-c-1. 
  4. ↑ "Aircraft Register Search [VH-JUV"]. http://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register?vh=JUV. 
  5. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - CurtissB Robin, s/n R-204 FAA, c/n 248, c/r LV-FAV". AerialVisuals.ca. http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=104942. 
  6. ↑ "Aviation". http://reynoldsmuseum.ca/aviation. 
  7. ↑ "Curtiss Robin J-1" (in de). 28 February 2013. http://www.antique-aeroflyers.de/Robin.htm. 
  8. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N292E"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N292E. 
  9. ↑ "1929 Curtiss Robin". Fantasy of Flight. http://www.fantasyofflight.com/collection/aircraft/currently-not-showing-in-museum/golden-age/1929-curtiss-robin. 
  10. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Curtiss B Robin, c/n 193, c/r N8313". AerialVisuals.ca. http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=61044. 
  11. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N8313"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N8313. 
  12. ↑ "Curtiss Robertson Robin B". WAAAM. http://www.waaamuseum.org/collections/airplanes/212-Curtiss-Robertson-Robin-B. 
  13. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N8332"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N8332. 
  14. ↑ "Curtiss B-1 Robin". http://sandiegoairandspace.org/collection/item/curtiss-b-1-robin. 
  15. ↑ "General Aviation". Evergreen Museum. http://www.evergreenmuseum.org/general-aviation. 
  16. ↑ "Airframe Dossier - Curtiss C-1 Robin, c/r NC9283". AerialVisuals.ca. http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=70428. 
  17. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N9283"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N9283. 
  18. ↑ "1929 Curtiss-Wright Model B-2 Robin - N50H". EAA. http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa-museum/museum-collection/aircraft-collection-folder/1929-curtiss-wright-model-b-2-robin---n50h. 
  19. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N50H"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N50H. 
  20. ↑ "Curtiss C-1 Robin". Yanks Air Museum. http://yanksair.org/collection/curtiss-c-1-robin. 
  21. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N3865B"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=3865B. 
  22. ↑ "Curtiss-Robertson Robin C-1". The Museum of Flight. http://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/curtiss-robertson-robin-c-1. 
  23. ↑ "1930 CURTISS ROBIN 4C-1A". Western North Carolina Air Museum. http://www.westernnorthcarolinaairmuseum.com/1930-curtiss-robin-4c-1a.html. 
  24. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N563N"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N563N. 
  25. ↑ Sullivan, Paul (15 November 2016). "Antique planes and other items coming home to Shannon Airport". Fredericksburg.com (BH Media Group, Inc.). http://www.fredericksburg.com/news/local/antique-planes-and-other-items-coming-home-to-shannon-airport/article_ed8a7ef1-8724-5fad-989d-db4fcecc2064.html. 
  26. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N532N"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N532N. 
  27. ↑ "Virginia Aviation Museum Historic Aircraft". Virginia Aviation Museum. http://www.vam.smv.org/pdfs/VAMHistoricAircraft.pdf. 
  28. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N534N"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N534N. 
  29. ↑ "Curtiss Robin J-1 Deluxe "Ole Miss"". Smithsonian Institution. http://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/curtiss-robin-j-1-deluxe. 
  30. ↑ Stoff, Joshua (2001). The Historic Aircraft and Spacecraft in the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications. p. 23. 
  31. ↑ "East Campus Aircraft". Air Zoo. http://www.airzoo.org/page.php?page_id=109. 
  32. ↑ "FAA REGISTRY [N7912"]. U.S. Department of Transportation. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N7912. 
  33. ↑ Zerilli, Ursula (4 October 2012). "Air Zoo acquires 1928 Curtiss Robin high-wing monoplane". MLive (Advance Local Media LLC). http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/10/air_zoo_acquires_1928_curtiss.html. 
  34. ↑ "1928 Curtiss Robin". Eagles Mere Air Museum. http://eaglesmereairmuseum.org/robin.shtml. 
  35. ↑ "Aircraft". Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. http://www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org/aircraft.php. 
  36. ↑ "Museum Hangar 2". Historic Aircraft Restoration Museum. http://www.historicaircraftrestorationmuseum.org/museumhangar2.html. 
  37. ↑ "Candler Field Museum". Peach State Aerodrome. http://www.peachstateaero.com/museum. 
  38. ↑ "1929 Curtiss "Robin"". http://www.ptaeromuseum.com/aircraft_projects/curtiss_robin/curtissrobinc1.html. 
  39. ↑ Grey, C.G., ed (1928). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1928. London: Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd. pp. 18d–19d. 
  40. ↑ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html. 

Bibliography

  • Hagedorn, Dan (March–May 1992). "Curtiss Types in Latin America". Air Enthusiast (45): 61–77. ISSN 0143-5450. 

External links



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