Sikorsky S-16

Last updated
S-16
Sikorsky S-16 biplane front.jpg
Sikorsky S-16 circa 1915
RoleFighter
National origin Russian Empire
Manufacturer RBVZ (Russo-Baltic Wagon Works)
Designer Igor Sikorsky
First flight6 February 1915
IntroductionJanuary 1916
Retired1923
Primary users Imperial Russian Air Service
Soviet Air Force

The Sikorsky S-16, or RBVZ S-XVI (named after its manufacturer), was a Russian equi-span single-bay two-seat biplane designed by Igor Sikorsky in 1914-15. Conceived in response to demand for an escort fighter for the Ilya Muromets bombers, it was noteworthy in that it was one of the first aircraft to possess synchronisation gear for its 7.7 mm machine gun. The first S-XVI was completed on 6 February 1915 with an 80 hp engine instead of the intended 100 hp because of supply problems. On 17 December 1915, the Russian government placed an order for 18 aircraft, these being delivered in early 1916.

Contents

Operational history

Full scale non-flying replica of the S-16 exhibited at the New England Air Museum in Connecticut Replica of Sikorsky's S-16 plane.jpg
Full scale non-flying replica of the S-16 exhibited at the New England Air Museum in Connecticut

Although highly maneuverable, the S-XVI possessed a comparatively poor performance due to insufficient power. A further small batch were completed in 1917, with the aircraft being used during the Russian Revolution and staying in service until 1923. At least one aircraft have been used by the Ukrainian People's Republic after 1917. [1]

Operators

Flag of Russia.svg  Russian Empire

Flag of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (1918-1937).svg  Soviet Russia

Flag of the Ukrainian State.svg  Ukrainian People's Republic


Specifications

Data fromSikorsky S-XVI escort fighter [2]

General characteristics

Alternative engine : 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome Monosoupape 7 Type A 7-cylinder rotary engine

Performance

Armament

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References

  1. "War Machines Drawn: Sikorsky S.16". 28 November 2015.
  2. Pike, John. "Sikorsky S-XVI escort fighter". globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 24 July 2020.

Bibliography

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Sikorsky S-16 at Wikimedia Commons