Curtiss-Wright CA-1

CA-1
Role Biplane amphibian
National origin United States
Manufacturer Curtiss-Wright
Designer Frank Courtney
First flight 1935
Number built 3

The Curtiss CA-1 (sometimes known as the Commuter or the Courtney Amphibian) was an American five-seat biplane amphibian designed by Frank Courtney and built by Curtiss-Wright at St Louis, Missouri.[1]

Design and development

Designed by the British test pilot Frank Courtney, the CA-1 was a five-seat amphibian.[1] The CA-1 was powered by a 365 hp (272 kW) Wright 975E-1 radial, cowled and fitted into the leading edge of the top wing driving - through an extension shaft - a pusher propeller.[1] It had a tricycle amphibian landing gear and an enclosed cabin for the pilot and passengers.[1] Only three aircraft were built and they were all sold in Japan,[1] designated Curtiss-Wright LXC (Navy Experimental Type C Amphibious Transport) by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service.[2]

Specifications

Data from Curtiss Aircraft 1907–1947[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one
  • Capacity: four passengers
    240 lb (110 kg) baggage[4]
  • Length: 31 ft 0 in (9.45 m)
  • Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in (12.19 m)
  • Height: 12 ft (3.7 m)
  • Airfoil: NACA 2412[5]
  • Empty weight: 2,980 lb (1,352 kg)
  • Gross weight: 4,650 lb (2,109 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-975E-1 Whirlwind 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 365 hp (272 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch pusher propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 151 mph (243 km/h, 131 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 125 mph (201 km/h, 109 kn)
  • Stall speed: 60 mph (97 km/h, 52 kn)
  • Range: 550 mi (890 km, 480 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)
  • Rate of climb: 835 ft/min (4.24 m/s)

See also

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e Orbis 1985, p. 1279
  2. ^ "Japanese Navy Aircraft".
  3. ^ Bowers, Peter M. (1979). Curtiss aircraft, 1907-1947. London: Putnam. pp. 396–397. ISBN 0370100298.
  4. ^ Flight 1934 p821
  5. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.

Bibliography

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