Sikorsky S-16
| S-16 | |
|---|---|
| 300px | |
| Full scale non-flying replica of the S-16 exhibited at the New England Air Museum in Connecticut. | |
| Role | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | RBVZ (Russo-Baltic Wagon Works) |
| Designer | Igor Sikorsky |
| First flight | 6 February 1915 |
| Introduction | January 1916 |
| Retired | 1923 |
| Primary users | Imperial Russian Air Service Soviet Air Force |
The Sikorsky S-16 (named after its designer) or RBVZ S-XVI (named after its manufacturer) was a Russian equi-span single-bay two-seat biplane designed by Igor Sikorsky in 1914-15. Conceived in response to demand for an escort fighter for the Ilya Muromets bombers, it was noteworthy in that it was one of the first aircraft to possess synchronisation gear for its 7.7mm machine gun. The first S-XVI was completed on 6 February 1915 with an 80 hp engine instead of the intended 100 hp because of supply problems. On 17 December 1915, the Russian government placed an order for 18 aircraft, these being delivered in early 1916.
Operational history
Although highly maneuverable, the S-XVI possessed a comparatively poor performance due to insufficient power. A further small batch were completed in 1917, with the aircraft being used during the Russian Revolution and staying in service until 1923.
Operators
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Length: 6.20m (20 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 8.40m (27 ft 6¾ in)
- Height: 2.78m (9 ft 1½ in)
- Wing area: 25.36m² (272.98 ft²)
- Empty weight: 407 kg (897 lb)
- Loaded weight: 676 kg (1,490 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × 100hp Le Rhone/80hp Gnome air-cooled rotary engine, 75 kW (100 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph)
- Rate of climb: 8 minutes to 1,000 metres (8 minutes to 3,280 ft)
Armament
- Guns: 1 x 7.7 mm Lavrov or 1 х Vickers, 500 rounds machine gun
Bibliography
- William Green and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Colour Library Direct, Godalming, UK: 1994. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.
External links
Media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. at Wikimedia Commons
