Sikorsky S-37
S-37 | |
---|---|
First S-37 with Gnome-Rhône 9A Jupiter engines | |
Role | Long-range aircraft |
National origin | United States |
Manufacturer | Sikorsky |
First flight | 1927 |
Number built | 2 |
Developed from | Sikorsky S-35 |
The Sikorsky S-37 was an American twin-engine aircraft built by the
Design
The S-37 was a two bay
Operational history
After the S-35 crashed and was destroyed in September 1926, Sikorsky built the first S-37
Late in 1927 Sikorsky formed a brief partnership with Consolidated Aircraft to produce the second S-37. Initially designated the S-37-2 and registered X3698 or NX3698 this aircraft had slightly better performance than the first version and was designed as a bomber for the United States Army Air Corps. Later called the VS-37B Guardian, it was equipped with Pratt & Whitney Hornet engines and a redesigned tail that eliminated the adjustable center vertical stabilizer and increased the size of the rudders. The Army Air Corps performed flight testing at Wilbur Wright Field under the designation XP-496 but the aircraft failed to meet Army requirements and was rejected. In 1929 it was converted into a passenger commercial ship with Jupiter engines installed then sold to New York, Rio and Buenos Aires Airlines. In 1934 this aircraft, now registered as NR942M, was rebuilt and fitted with pontoons for a "Round-the-World" flight eastbound from Chicago to Chicago. As the flight approached Cleveland one of the engines caught fire and the crew made an emergency landing on Lake Erie. After repairs the flight continued but later crashed in the north Atlantic Ocean.[6][7]
Specifications (first aircraft)
Data from Aviation Week[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 45 ft 6 in (13.87 m)
- Upper wingspan: 100 ft (30 m)
- Lower wingspan: 58 ft (18 m)
- Height: 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m)
- Wing area: 1,075 sq ft (99.9 m2)
- Airfoil: S-G-4
- Empty weight: 8,000 lb (3,629 kg)
- Gross weight: 15,000 lb (6,804 kg)
- Powerplant: 2 × Gnome-Rhône 9A Jupiter9-cylinder radial, 500 hp (370 kW) each
- Propellers: 2-bladed, 10 ft 3 in (3.12 m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 135 mph (217 km/h, 117 kn)
- Cruise speed: 115 mph (185 km/h, 100 kn)
- Stall speed: 57 mph (92 km/h, 50 kn)
- Range: 5,000 mi (8,000 km, 4,300 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,900 m)
- Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3.0 m/s)
- Wing loading: 13–15 lb/sq ft (63–73 kg/m2) max load
See also
Related development
References
- ^ "Sikorsky S-35". sikorskyarchives.com. Sikorsky Archives. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ a b c "The "Ville de Paris"". Aviation. XXIII (13): 718–722. 26 September 1927. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- ISBN 0-309-02889-2.
- ^ "Sikorsky S-37". all-aero.com. all-aero. 2017. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "Sikorsky S-37". aerofiles.com. Aerofiles. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "The Sikorsky "Guardian"". Aviation. Vol. XXIV, no. 3. 16 January 1928. p. 148. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
- ^ "Russian-American Round-the-World Flight". www.wingnet.org. WingNet. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2017.