Thomas-Morse S-4
| S-4 | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| S-4C Scout | |
| Role | advanced trainer |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Thomas-Morse Aircraft |
| Designer | Benjamin D. Thomas |
| First flight | June 1917[1] |
|
| |
The Thomas-Morse S-4 Scout was an American biplane advanced trainer, operated by the United States Army and the United States Navy. Dubbed the "Tommy" by pilots who flew it, the aircraft became the favorite single-seat training airplane produced in the U.S. during World War I. It had a long and varied career beginning with the S-4B, which first appeared in the summer of 1917.[2]
Design and development
Built by Thomas-Morse Aircraft in Ithaca, New York in 1917, it was a compact single-seat open-cockpit biplane of equal span and a 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome rotary engine.[3]
The S-4 was designed by Benjamin D. Thomas, an Englishman (no relation),[4] formerly with the Sopwith Aviation Company,[5] the S-4 made its maiden flight in June 1917 in the hands of Paul D. Wilson.[4] Twelve planes went to the Navy.[4]
Operational history
The S-4B, with a 110 hp Gnome, a span of 27’ (8.22 m), and length of 20’3” (6.17 m)[4] proved more successful, with three prototypes followed by an order of 97 for the Army and 10 for the Navy,[4][6] while six more were completed with two main and one tail floats as the Navy S-5.[3][7] The S-4B was used by practically every pursuit flying school in the U.S. during 1918.[2]
It was supplemented in 1918 by the S-4C, at a cost of US$5400 each.[4] Six prototypes were built,[4] and the 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome B-9 was replaced by the "more reliable" 80 hp (60 kW) Le Rhône C-9 starting with the fifty-second production aircraft.[3][4] 461 S-4Cs went to the Army and four S-4Cs with floats went to the Navy.[4]
After World War I, many "Tommys" were sold as surplus to civilian flying schools, sportsman pilots, and ex-Army fliers. Many were still being used in the mid-1930s for World War I aviation movies, and several continue to exist in flying condition today.[2]
A single aircraft was fitted with new tail and 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône, becoming the S-4E aerobatic trainer.[3] It was not adopted by the military, and after being fitted with a 135 hp (101 kW) Aeromarine V8 engine, it became Basil Rowe‘s racer Space-Eater.[4]
About sixty surplus aircraft survived in civil service, most of which were fitted with the Curtiss OX-5.[4]
Operators
Survivors
- In Dayton, Ohio, an S-4C "Scout" is displayed in the National Museum of the United States Air Force's Early Years Gallery that was restored by students at the Aero Mechanics High School in Detroit, Michigan.
- One of two surviving Thomas-Morse S-4B's, possibly the last example produced, was acquired by Cole Palen having previously been on loan to the NMUSAF museum.[2] He made it airworthy and flew it in his Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome airshows in the facility's early years.[8] It is currently on static display in the Aerodrome's main display hangar.
- One resides at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.
- One resides at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida.
- One resides at Yanks Air Museum in Chino CA, at the Chino Airport.
- Two S-4C's, are under restoration in Kingsbury, Texas. The first has flown, and the second, having undergone an abortive restoration attempt is expected to follow. One is planned to be marked with US WWI roundels and the other with the USAAS' star and red disc insignia.
- The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York, has an original S-4C along with an uncovered Scout fuselage, possibly from one of the prototypes, fitted with a LeRhone engine and a working gun synchronizer.
- The second known surviving S-4B is being restored by the Ithaca Aviation Heritage Foundation.[9][10]
Specifications (S-4C, late production)
Data from Aerofiles, United States Navy Aircraft since 1911,[4][6]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 19 ft 10 in (6.05 m m)
- Wingspan: 26 ft 6 in (8.08 m)
- Height: 8 ft 1 in (2.46 m)
- Gross weight: 1,330 lb (605 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Le Rhône 9C air-cooled rotary, 80 hp (60 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 97 mph (156 km/h)
- Endurance: 2 hours 30 min
- Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,500 [11] m)
Armament
- Optional .30 caliber Marlin machine gun
See also
- Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
- Related lists
References
- Notes
- ↑ Holmes, 2005. p 52.
- 1 2 3 4 United States Air Force Museum 1975, p. 10.
- 1 2 3 4 Donald 1997, p. 875.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Thomas." Aerofiles.com. Retrieved April 8, 2008.
- ↑ Angelucci 1973, p. 41.
- ↑ "Cole Palen's Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome — World War 1 Aircraft — Thomas Morse S-4B Scout". oldrhinebeck.org. Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
- ↑ http://www.ithaca.com/news/restored-thomas--morse-plane-takes-shape/article_b57be918-8ac0-11e4-aa31-774cc0632c8d.html
- ↑ http://www.tommycomehome.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/WW1Aero214-ThomasMorse-Article.pdf
- ↑ Angelucci 1983, p. 85.
- Bibliography
- Angelucci, Enzo, Great Aeroplanes of the World. London: Hamlyn, 1973.
- Angelucci, Enzo. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914–1980. San Diego, California: The Military Press, 1983. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
- Donald, David, ed. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft, p. 875, "Thomas Brothers and Thomas-Morse aircraft". Etobicoke, Ontario: Prospero Books, 1997.
- Holmes, Tony. Jane's Vintage Aircraft Recognition Guide. London: Harper Collins, 2005. ISBN 0-00-719292-4.
- Strnad, Frank. The Thomas Morse Scout. London: Profile Publications, 1966.
- Swanborough, Gordon and Bowers, Peter. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. London:Putnam, Second edition, 1976. ISBN 0-370-10054-9.
- United States Air Force Museum. Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: Air Force Museum Foundation, 1975.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thomas-Morse S-4. |
- Aerofiles
- Thomas-Morse S-4 (history, photos, three-view, and paper model)
- Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome's Thomas-Morse S-4B page
| ||||||||||