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Thomas Brothers S-4
The Thomas Brothers S-4 was an American biplane advanced trainer, operated by the Army and Navy.
Built by Thomas-Morse Aircraft in Bath, New York in 1917, it was a compact single-seat open-cockpit biplane of equal span and a 100 hp (75 kW) Gnome rotary.[1]
Designed by Benjamin D. Thomas (the company’s head designer, no relation to the owners),[2] the S-4 made her maiden flight in June 1917 in the hands of Paul D. Wilson. [2] Twelve went to the Navy. [2]
The S-4B, with a 110 hp Gnome, span of 27’ (8.22 m), and length 20’3” (6.17 m)[2] proved more successful, with three prototypes followed by an order of 97 for the Army and ten for the Navy,[2][3] while six more were completed with two main and one tail floats as the Navy S-5. [1][4]
It was supplemented in 1918[2] by the S-4C, at a cost of US$5400 each.[2] Six prototypes were built,[2] and the 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome B-9 [2] was replaced by the "more reliable"[1] 80 hp (60 kW) Le Rhône C-9.[2] with the fifty-second aircraft.[1] Four S-4Cs with floats went to the Navy, and 461 for the Army.[2]
A single aircraft was fitted with new tail and 110 hp (82 kW) Le Rhône, becoming the S-4E aerobatic trainer.[1] It was not adopted, and (fitted with a 135 hp {101 kW} Aeromarine V8]) became Basil Rowe‘s racer Space-Eater.[2]
About sixty surplus aircraft survive in civil service, most fitted with the Curtiss OX-5s.[2]
Contents
Specifications (S-4C, late production)
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References
Notes
Bibliography
- Donald, David, ed. Encyclopedia of World Aircraft, p.875, "Thomas Brothers and Thomas-Morse aircraft". Etobicoke, Ontario: Prospero Books, 1997.
- Swanborough, Gordon and Bowers, Peter. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. London:Putnam, Second edition, 1976. ISBN 0 370 10054 9.
External links
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Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
