Curtiss Robin

Curtiss Robin
Role	Touring
Manufacturer	Curtiss-Robertson Airplane Manufacturing Company
First flight	August 7, 1928
Introduction	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 Airplane Manufacturing Company. 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[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 US gal (19 l; 4 imp gal). Price at factory field was $7,500.

Operational history

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.

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

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.

1929 Curtis Robin C-1 used for the movie Pearl(modified with R-680)

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.

The XC-10

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

• Kermit Weeks has restored a Curtiss Robin to flying status and it is on display at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.
• An apparently airworthy Robin J-1, registered VH-JUV, is at Gawler, South Australia.
• Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum has a OX-5 powered Robin.
• Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum has a Continental R670 powered Robin.
• EAA AirVenture Museum has a V-502 powered B-2

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: 1 × 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)

See also

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States
• List of civil aircraft

References

Notes

Bibliography

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

External links

• Virginia Aircraft Museum
• Airminded.net
• Information about this flight at the National Air and Space Museum Web Site
• The Museum of Flight
• A Curtiss Robin is rebuild from an empty frame
• A brief story of "Wrongway" Corrigan's adventure