Curtiss Robin

Curtiss Robin

Picture - Curtiss Robin Model C-1 (185 hp Curtiss Challenger Engine)

Role: Touring
Manufacturer: Curtiss-Robertson Aircraft Company
First flight: August 7, 1928
Introduced: 1928
Status: A number still flying
Primary user: U. S. Private Owner Market
Number built: 769
Unit cost: $7,500 U.S. Dollars (1938)

The Curtiss Robin, introduced in 1928, was a high wing monoplane with a 90 hp (67 kW) V8 OX-5 8-cylinder engine built by Curtiss-Robertson. 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 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 ineffective in creating lift. 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.

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 USgal (19 l; 4 imp gal). Price at factory field was $7,500.

Operational history

Picture - The aircraft Curtiss Robin "St. Louis" during the record flight July 13-30, 1929, St. Louis, Missouri. Operators: Dale Jackson and Forest O'Brine. Flight endurance record: 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 XC-10. This aircraft was used in a test program for radio-controlled (and unmanned) flight.

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 (1923-1935).

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.

Operators

Military operators

Paraguay United States

United States Army Air Corps

Survivors

An apparently-airworthy Robin J-1, registered VH-JUV, is at Gawler, South Australia.

Specifications (Robin OX-5)

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: 2 passengers
Length: 25 ft 8½ in (7.83 m)
Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.49 m)
Height: 7 ft 9½ in (2.37 m)
Wing area: 223 ft² (20.71 m²)
Empty weight: 1,472 lb (668 kg)
Loaded weight: 2,440 lb (1,107 kg)
Powerplant: 1x— Curtiss OX-5 liquid-cooled V-8, 90 hp (67 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 100.5 mph (87 knots, 135 km/h)
Cruise speed: 84 mph (73 knots, 135 km/h)
Range: 480 mi (432 nmi, 772 km)
Service ceiling: 10,200 ft (3,109 m)
Rate of climb: 400 ft/min (2.0 m/s)

Bibliography

Bowers, Peter M. Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947. London: Putnam, 1979. ISBN 0-370-10029-8.

Curtiss Robin Pictures

More aircraft.

Source: WikiPedia