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Sikorsky S-20

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(Redirected from Sikorsky S-XX)
RBVZ S-XX
Role Fighter
Manufacturer RBVZ (Russo-Baltic Wagon Works)
Designer Igor Sikorsky
First flight 1916
Introduction 1916
Retired 1920
Primary user Imperial Russian Air Service
Number built 5

The Sikorsky S-20 (named after its designer) or RBVZ S-XX (named after its manufacturer) was a Russian single-bay unequal span two-seat biplane designed by Igor Sikorsky in 1916. Displaying some Nieuport influence, it saw very little service during World War I.

Five S-XX aircraft were built in September 1916, with the first two powered by the 100 hp Gnome rotary engine which had powered its predecessor, the RBVZ S-XVI. However, the other three were powered with the 120 hp Le Rhone engine, with which they were allegedly faster than the French Nieuport 17.

Operational history

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The S-XX saw little service because it was viewed as inferior[citation needed] to newer enemy aircraft, and no series production was undertaken. As such, only five aircraft were ever produced.

List of operators

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 Russian Empire

Specifications

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General characteristics

  • Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
  • Height: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
  • Wing area: 17 m2 (180 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 395 kg (871 lb)
  • Gross weight: 570 kg (1,257 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Le Rhône Type 9Jb 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary piston engine, 89 kW (120 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)
  • Range: 390 km (240 mi, 210 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,600 m (18,400 ft)
  • Time to altitude: 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in 6 minutes 20 seconds
  • Wing loading: 33.0 kg/m2 (6.8 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.21 hp/kg

Armament

References

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Bibliography

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  • William Green and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Colour Library Direct, Godalming, UK: 1994. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.