U.S. Air Service |
AIRCRAFT
OF THE
A E F
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CURTISS N9
Development and Operation
As noted in the discussion about the Curtiss JN-4 the design went through a number of iterations before the JN-4D design was achieved. One of these variations was the JN-4B. This version of the JN-4 design was similar to the JN-4A design with a return to low dihedral wings, ailerons on the upper wing only, and no down-thrust configuration of the OX-5 engine.
About this design appeared the U.S. Navy needed an advanced trainer for its hydroplane pilots. The Navy therefore purchased the JN-4B, with the modification of an increase of 10 feet in span of the wings, skid fins on the top wings, extended upper wing ailerons, and a single Burgess-float. Some of these aircraft were powered by the Curtiss OXX-6 engine and others by the 150 hp Hispano-Suiza engine.
Because of the relationship between the Army and the Navy the Navy did not want to be perceived as using an "Army" aircraft. They therefore designated the aircraft as the N-9. Some 560 of these aircraft were built by Curtiss for the Navy with delivery beginning in late 1916.
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Aircraft and Flight Characteristics
Wing Span
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Upper
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53 ft., 3 3/4 inches
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Lower
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43 ft. 3/8 inches
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Length
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37 ft. 7 1/4 inches
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Height
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10 ft. 8 1/2 inches
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Weight
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Net
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2,040 lbs.
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Gross
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2,550 lbs.
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Useful Load
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Fuel
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179.5 lbs. (29 Gallons)
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Oil
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37.5 lbs. (5 Gallons)
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Pilot
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165 lbs.
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Passenger
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165 lbs.
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Maximum Speed
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78 mph
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Stall Speed
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38 mph
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Climb
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10 minutes
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To 3285 ft.
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14.4 minutes
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To 5000 ft.
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Service Ceiling
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7,000 ft.
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Endurance
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1.7 hrs.
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References:
- Bowers, Peter,Curtiss Aircraft 1904 to 1947
- Van Wyen, Adrian O.,Naval Aviation in World War I
- Photo courtesy of the author.
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Great War Society
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