Sikorsky S-20

The Sikorsky S-20 (named after its designer) or RBVZ S-XX (named after its manufacturer) was a Russian single-bay unequal span two-seat biplane designed by Igor Sikorsky in 1916. Displaying some Nieuport influence, it saw very little service during World War I.

RBVZ S-XX
Role Fighter
Manufacturer RBVZ (Russo-Baltic Wagon Works)
Designer Igor Sikorsky
First flight 1916
Introduction 1916
Retired 1920
Primary user Imperial Russian Air Service
Number built 5

Five S-XX aircraft were built in September 1916, with the first two powered by the 100 hp Gnome rotary engine which had powered its predecessor, the RBVZ S-XVI. However, the other three were powered with the 120 hp Le Rhone engine, with which they were allegedly faster than the French Nieuport 17.

Operational history

The S-XX saw little service because it was viewed as inferior to newer enemy aircraft, and no series production was undertaken. As such, only five aircraft were ever produced.

List of operators

 Russian Empire

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
  • Wingspan: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
  • Wing area: 17 m2 (180 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 395 kg (871 lb)
  • Gross weight: 570 kg (1,257 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Le Rhône Type 9Jb 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary piston engine, 89 kW (120 hp)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 190 km/h (120 mph, 100 kn)
  • Time to altitude: 2,000 m (6,562 ft) in 6 minutes 20 seconds
  • Wing loading: 33.0 kg/m2 (6.8 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 0.21 hp/kg

Armament

  • Guns: 1 x 7.7 mm Lavrov machine gun

References

    Bibliography

    • William Green and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Colour Library Direct, Godalming, UK: 1994. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.
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