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Curtiss H-16

1917 WORLD WAR 1

History

In 1911, the Curtiss Aircraft and Motor Company introduced their Model D biplane powered by a 40-horsepower Curtiss E-4 engine (in a "slider" configuration) and tricycle landing gear. This type was manufactured in limited numbers and was later used by the U.S. Army Signal Corps and the U.S. Navy.

Work on the improved version soon began, resulting in an enlarged E version, which then entered service with the U.S. Navy and appeared in three different model forms - the E-4, E-8 and E-8-75. This particular type was instrumental in advancing the development of seaplanes associated with the U.S. Navy, as the lessons learned there played a major role in the design of the upcoming before World War I.

In response to the Daily Mail's 1913 competition for an aircraft capable of crossing the Atlantic (costing ?10,000), Curtis developed his E-Type line into a larger, more modern form. The larger size is required due to the larger internal fuel volume required for long distances. Two prototypes were completed and named "Model H-2". The first flight took place in June 1914, and the plane was shipped to England, ready for transatlantic flight.

British test pilot John Cyril Porter was chosen as the pilot.

The H-16 crew consisted of two pilots and two gunners. The pilot sits on the flight deck of the partially enclosed cockpit at the forward end of the fuselage. A machine gunner sat in the all-important open-air cockpit at the front of the fuselage. Another created a dorsal gun location aft of the wing assembly. The wings are mounted high on the fuselage.

The fuselage tapers to the rear and is covered by a triangular vertical stabilizer and corresponding horizontal stabilizer. The wiring on the wing surfaces was evident throughout the design, which was common in aircraft at the time.

The H-16 retained Curtis' earlier boat-like fuselage, which enabled the aircraft to land on water. At the same time, the wingspan of the H-16 requires no less than four parallel struts. Armament consists of a 7x7.7mm Lewis machine gun mounted on a flexible mount.

The H-16 can carry bomb loads of up to 460 pounds.

During the war, aircraft like the Curtiss H-Series certainly demonstrated their coveted value. Their seaplane nature allows them the freedom to use water landings as needed, while their inherent design allows for extended "water" endurance. These qualities are useful when hunting down enemy surface ships or submarines, or locating downed pilots or sailors. This type of patrol is common, and seaplanes are also tasked with hunting down slow and bulky zeppelins.

As control of the waters between England and Europe was crucial to the Allied success in the war, seaplanes undoubtedly played a major role in the ongoing struggle. Almost all available Curtis seaplanes used in World War I were operated by the British.

The American version was limited to local use for anti-submarine patrols, although some versions arrived in Europe before the armistice in November 1918.

Curtiss H-Series seaplanes enjoyed a brief operational existence after World War I, when they were retired in favor of more modern types. A total of 478 H-Series aircraft were produced.