Sikorsky S-7
The Sikorsky S-7 was a Russian single engine experimental prototype aircraft built by the Russian Baltic Railroad Car Works shortly after Igor Sikorsky became chief engineer of the aircraft manufacturing division.
| S-7 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sikorsky S-7 circa 1912 | |
| Role | Experimental |
| National origin | Russian Empire |
| Manufacturer | Russian Baltic Railroad Car Works |
| Designer | Igor Sikorsky |
| First flight | July 1912 |
| Status | sold to Bulgarian Army for use in World War I |
| Number built | 1 |
Design and development
The S-7 was two-seater wire-braced monoplane powered by a 70 hp (52 kW) Gnome air-cooled rotary engine. Construction began in early summer of 1912 and completed in July. The pilot sat in the rear cockpit with a passenger seated in a forward compartment in a tandem arrangement. The fuselage was enclosed in plywood and the aircraft used components taken from the S-6A including the main wing, tail and landing gear.[1]
Operational history
The S-7 was entered in the international military competition at Saint Petersburg in August 1912. During a take-off attempt from a furrowed field the landing gear was severely damaged and the S-7 was unable to finish the completion. In 1913 the aircraft was repaired and served as a trainer. In 1914 Bulgaria purchased the S-7 and used it in operations during World War I.[1]
Specifications
Data from Russian Aviation Museum[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: One
- Capacity: One passenger
- Length: 26 ft 11 in (8.2 m)
- Upper wingspan: 32 ft 10 in (10 m)
- Wing area: 220 sq ft (20 m2)
- Empty weight: 990 lb (449 kg)
- Gross weight: 1,711 lb (776 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Gnome Lambda 7-cylinder air-cooled rotary piston engine, 70 hp (52 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 67 mph (108 km/h, 58 kn)