The Sikorsky S-31 was a 1920s American sesquiplane designed and built by the Sikorsky Manufacturing Corporation and configured for aerial photography.[1]

Sikorsky S-31
Role Civil utility sesquiplane
National origin United States
Manufacturer Sikorsky Manufacturing Corporation
First flight September 1925
Number built 1

Design and development

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The S-31 was a sesquiplane built for photographic work by the Fairchild Flying Corporation. It had two open cockpits and a cabin for the photographic equipment.[1] The S-31 was powered by a 200 hp (149 kW) Wright Whirlwind J-4 engine and first flew in September 1925.[1] Following participation in the New York Air Races in October 1925 it was shipped to Brazil to be used by Fairchild for aerial photographic work. At some point the S-31 had twin Lewis machine guns ring-mounted on the rear cockpit.[1]

Specifications

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Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two
  • Length: 26 ft 0 in (7.92 m)
  • Wingspan: 45 ft 0 in (13.72 m) [2]
  • Height: 10 ft 4 in (3.15 m)
  • Wing area: 260 sq ft (24.15 m2) [2]
  • Empty weight: 1,700 lb (771 kg)
  • Gross weight: 2,900 lb (1,315 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Wright Whirlwind J-4 , 200 hp (149 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 35 mph (56.3 km/h, 30 kn)
  • Endurance: 6 hours 0 minutes
  • Service ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,572 m)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Best, Martin (1990). "Sikorsky American Fixed-Wing Aircraft - Part 1 S-29A to S-35". Archive. 2002 (4). Air-Britain: 127–133. ISSN 0262-4923.
  2. ^ a b Upper wing