| Technical data | |
|---|---|
| Type | S-16 |
| Function | fighter |
| Year | 1915 |
| Crew | 2 |
| Engines | 1*80hp Gnome |
| Length | 5.90m |
| Wing Span | 8.00m |
| Wing Area | 25.3m2 |
| Height | 2.78m |
| Empty Weight | 407kg |
| Maximum Weight | 676kg |
| Wing Load (kg/m2) | 26.7 |
| Power load (kg/hp) | 8.5 |
| Speed | 120km/h |
| Ceiling | 3500m |
| Climb | |
| 1000m | 8.0min |
| 3000m | 40.0min |
| Armament | |
| Machinegun(s) | 1*7.7mm synchronized 1 optional defensive |
S-16, I.I.Sikorsky/ RBVZ
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Two-seat (side-by-side) biplane designed by I.I.Sikorsky, intended as escort fighter for the Ilya Mourometz bombers, as well as protecting their bases.
Used on wheel or skis, depending on season. Ailerons were on both lower and upper wings. It was the first Sikorsky fighter armed with synchronized machinegun, firing through the propeller. Technic was quite a novelty, and first synchronizers were plaqued with failures. Some S-16s carried second defensive machinegun.
First one was ready at the end of 1915, 18 were built at RBVZ in January-March 1916 and few more - in 1917; Most of them saw action during Civil War, and were in service until 1923- 1924.
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One S-16 was powered with Russian-built 60hp Kalep engine, and differed from other S-16s by increased upper wing and ailerons on the lower wing being deleted. One was built (1916) as a hydroplane on two floats, but this modification had too poor performance.
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References:
- "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.1 p.174-175;
- S-16 at Watson's Military Page;
- S-16 at Igor I.Sikorsky Historical Archives, Inc.;
- S-XVI, RBVZ
Other S-16 WEB pages to visit:
