The Sikorsky S-9 Kruglyj (Rounded One) was a Russian single engine prototype aircraft completed in the spring of 1913 by the Russian Baltic Railroad Car Works while Igor Sikorsky was the chief engineer of the aircraft manufacturing division.
S-9 | |
---|---|
Sikorsky S-9 circa 1913 | |
Role | Experimental Monoplane |
National origin | Russian Empire |
Manufacturer | Russian Baltic Railroad Car Works |
Designer | Igor Sikorsky |
First flight | 1913 |
Number built | 1 |
The S-9 was a three-seat mid-wing monoplane with constant-chord wire-braced wings originally powered by a Gnome air-cooled rotary engine rated at 100 hp (75 kW). It was the first monocoque monoplane built in Russia and the cylindrical tapered fuselage was constructed of plywood 5 mm thick in the forward section and 3mm thick aft. Construction was completed in the spring of 1913.[1][2]
Upon completion the S-9 was found to be substantially heavier than anticipated and the engine only delivered 80% of its rated horsepower. Initial flight tests revealed very poor performance. The engine was replaced by a 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome Monosoupape and further flights showed only a nominal increase in speed. The machine was eventually scrapped.[1]
Data from Russian Aviation Museum[2]
General characteristics
Performance