1929 Curtis Robin Airplane
1929 Curtis Robin Airplane Scale 1/43
Curtiss Robin The Curtiss Robin, introduced in 1928, was a high wing monoplane with a 90 hp (67 kW) V8 OX-5 8-cylinder engine. It was later fitted with the more powerful Challenger engine, which developed between 170 and 185 hp (127 and 138 kW). NOTE: Model B (90 hp/67 kW Curtiss OX-5 engine), Model C-1 (185 hp/138 kW Curtiss Challenger engine), and Model J-1 (165 hp/123 kW Wright J-6 Whirlwind 5 engine)
The J-1 version was flown by Douglas Corrigan (nicknamed "Wrongway") as well as The Flying Keys.
Design The Robin, a workmanlike cabin monoplane had a wooden wing and steel tubing fuselage. The cabin accommodated three, two passengers seated side-by-side behind the pilot. Early Robins were distinguished by large flat fairings over the parallel diagional wing bracing struts, which were abandond on later versions when found ineffective at creating lift.[1] The original landing gear were bungee rubber cord shock absorbers, later replaced by an oleo-pneumatic system, a number of Robins had twin-floats added.[citation needed]
Payload with 50 gal (189 l) fuel was 452 lb (205 kg), cruising speed 102 mph (164 km/h), landing speed 48 mph (77 km/h), gas capacity 50 gal/189 l (25 gal/95 l in each wing tank), oil capacity 5 gal (19 l). Price at factory field was $7,500.
Variants Challenger Robin
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, it was fitted with a 150-hp (112-kW) Comet radial piston engine.
Robin B
Three-seat cabin monoplane, fitted with wheel breaks and a steerable tailwheel; about 325 built.
Robin B-2
Three-seat cabin monoplane, powered by a number of Wright piston engines.
Robin C
Three-seat cabin monoplane, powered by a 185-hp (138-kW) Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; about 50 built.
Robin C-1
Improved version of the Robin C, powered by a Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; over 200 built.
Robin C-2
Long-range version fitted with an extra fuel tank, powered by a 170-hp (127-kW) Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; six built.
Robin 4C
Four-seat version, powered by a Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; one built.
Robin 4C-1
Three-seat version with an enlarged forward fuselage section; three built.
Robin 4C-1A
Four-seat version with an enlarged forward fuselage section; 11 built.
Robin CR
One-off experimental version, fitted with a 120-hp (90-kW) Curtiss Crusader engine; one built.
Robin J-1
Powered by a 165-hp (123-kW) Wright Whirlwind J-6-5 radial piston engine; about 40 built.
Robin J-2
Long-range version, fitted with an extra fuel tank; two built.
Robin M
Robin B aircraft fitted with the 115-hp (86-kW) V-502 engine.
Robin W
Powered by a 110-hp (32-kW) Warner Scarab radial piston engine. Only a small number were built in 1930.
XC-10
One Robin W was sold to the United States Army Air Corps, it was converted into an unmanned pilotless radio-controlled test aircraft.
General characteristics
Curtiss Robin The Curtiss Robin, introduced in 1928, was a high wing monoplane with a 90 hp (67 kW) V8 OX-5 8-cylinder engine. It was later fitted with the more powerful Challenger engine, which developed between 170 and 185 hp (127 and 138 kW). NOTE: Model B (90 hp/67 kW Curtiss OX-5 engine), Model C-1 (185 hp/138 kW Curtiss Challenger engine), and Model J-1 (165 hp/123 kW Wright J-6 Whirlwind 5 engine)
The J-1 version was flown by Douglas Corrigan (nicknamed "Wrongway") as well as The Flying Keys.
Design The Robin, a workmanlike cabin monoplane had a wooden wing and steel tubing fuselage. The cabin accommodated three, two passengers seated side-by-side behind the pilot. Early Robins were distinguished by large flat fairings over the parallel diagional wing bracing struts, which were abandond on later versions when found ineffective at creating lift.[1] The original landing gear were bungee rubber cord shock absorbers, later replaced by an oleo-pneumatic system, a number of Robins had twin-floats added.[citation needed]
Payload with 50 gal (189 l) fuel was 452 lb (205 kg), cruising speed 102 mph (164 km/h), landing speed 48 mph (77 km/h), gas capacity 50 gal/189 l (25 gal/95 l in each wing tank), oil capacity 5 gal (19 l). Price at factory field was $7,500.
Variants Challenger Robin
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, it was fitted with a 150-hp (112-kW) Comet radial piston engine.
Robin B
Three-seat cabin monoplane, fitted with wheel breaks and a steerable tailwheel; about 325 built.
Robin B-2
Three-seat cabin monoplane, powered by a number of Wright piston engines.
Robin C
Three-seat cabin monoplane, powered by a 185-hp (138-kW) Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; about 50 built.
Robin C-1
Improved version of the Robin C, powered by a Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; over 200 built.
Robin C-2
Long-range version fitted with an extra fuel tank, powered by a 170-hp (127-kW) Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; six built.
Robin 4C
Four-seat version, powered by a Curtiss Challenger radial piston engine; one built.
Robin 4C-1
Three-seat version with an enlarged forward fuselage section; three built.
Robin 4C-1A
Four-seat version with an enlarged forward fuselage section; 11 built.
Robin CR
One-off experimental version, fitted with a 120-hp (90-kW) Curtiss Crusader engine; one built.
Robin J-1
Powered by a 165-hp (123-kW) Wright Whirlwind J-6-5 radial piston engine; about 40 built.
Robin J-2
Long-range version, fitted with an extra fuel tank; two built.
Robin M
Robin B aircraft fitted with the 115-hp (86-kW) V-502 engine.
Robin W
Powered by a 110-hp (32-kW) Warner Scarab radial piston engine. Only a small number were built in 1930.
XC-10
One Robin W was sold to the United States Army Air Corps, it was converted into an unmanned pilotless radio-controlled test aircraft.
General characteristics
- Crew: three
- Length: 25 ft 1 in[2] (7.65 m)
- Wingspan: 41 ft[2] (12.5 m)
- Height: 8 ft[1] (2.44 m)
- Wing area: 223 ft²[1] (20.72 m²)
- Empty weight: 1,635 lb (743 kg)
- Loaded weight: 959 lb (436 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 2,569 lb (1,180 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Curtiss OX-5 liquid-cooled V-8, 90 hp (67 kW)
- Maximum speed: 120 mph (103 kn, 190 km/h)
- Range: 500 mi (432 nmi, 800 km)
- Service ceiling: 12,500 ft (3,800 m)
- Rate of climb: 640 ft/min (195 m/min) at sea level