Jenny's Grandfather: The Curtiss Model N

Flight Journal, Feb 2005 by Bodie, Warren M

ALTHOUGH THE WRIGHT BROTHERS designed, built and flew the first powered aircraft that was navigable in the air, it is a nearly forgotten fact that after 1909, their design efforts virtually ceased. Meanwhile, speed racer Glenn H. Curtiss became a most prolific aircraft designer, builder and pilot; he must have worked day and night to chalk up so many accomplishments.

In contrast, the Wright Co. created only one airplane during WW I-the Tin Cow (Army No. 39); its name probably referred to the speed at which it moved through the air and its less than svelte shape. Wing warping was still the choice for lateral control for the Wright Co., and during this time, Orville concentrated on his company's lawsuits regarding patents. In the meantime, Curtiss, Martin and Burgess-Loening advanced the state of the art, but not as rapidly as German, French and British designers.

In 1914, Curtiss hired designer B. Douglas Thomas from England and produced the much admired Curtiss Model J (Army No. 29). In 1915, the U.S. Army ordered 10 of the new tractor-engine modified J biplanes, and Curtiss delivered them that same year.

Knowing that Orville was still pressing on with the patent cases, in 1914, Curtiss' Hammondsport, New York, company began test flights with the Model N (Army No. 35). Its price was $7,500, and it differed from the Model J in that it used interplane ailerons and a different airfoil. It was powered by a Curtiss OXX engine rated at 100hp. Ultimately, to improve stability, a considerable (and unusual) dihedral was added to both wings. The modified N soon demonstrated an ability to fly with "hands-off" stability; the intention was to thwart the Wright Co. lawsuits.

Here, standing at the propeller, is George Hallett, from San Diego; he was associated with Glenn Curtiss when Curtiss first attempted to fly off water in 1911. During the U.S.'s participation in WW I, the highly regarded Hallett was commissioned a major and was involved with propulsion. Early in 1911, his efforts to produce a practical float had allowed Curtiss to make the world's first successful controllable-floatplane flight off water. After Army Signal Corps trials of the modified N, Curtiss was allowed to repossess Army No. 35 to help him fight the Wrights' aggressive lawsuits.

By 1916, Curtiss had combined the best features of the J and N models to produce the wildly successful Curtiss JN-4 type; the first order was for 93 airplanes. The second order for Curtiss JN-4s, which featured the Curtiss OX-5 engine, was for no fewer than 603.

-Warren M. Bodie

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