RBVZ S-XVI

Infobox Aircraft
name = S-XVI
type = Fighter
manufacturer = RBVZ (Russo-Baltic Wagon Works)


caption =
designer =
first flight = 6 February avyear|1915
introduced = January avyear|1916
retired = avyear|1923
status =
primary user =Imperial Russian Air Service
more users = Soviet Air Force
produced =
number built =
unit cost =
variants with their own articles =

The RBVZ S-XVI was a Russian equi-span single-bay two-seat biplane designed by Igor Sikorsky in 1914-15. Conceived in response to demand for an escort fighter for the Ilya Muromets bombers, it was noteworthy in that it was one of the first aircraft to possess synchronisation gear for its 7.7mm machine gun. The first S-XVI was completed on 6 February 1915 with an 80hp engine instead of the intended 100hp because of supply problems. On 17 December 1915, the Russian government placed an order for 18 aircraft, these being delivered in early 1916.

Operational History

Although highly maneuverable, the S-XVI possessed a comparatively poor performance due to insufficient power. A further small batch were completed in 1917, with the aircraft being used during the Russian Revolution and staying in service until 1923.

Operators

; flag|Russian Empire|1914;USSR:

Specifications

aircraft specifications

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
crew=Two
span main=8.40m
span alt=27 ft 6¾ in
area main=25.36m²
area alt= 272.98 ft²
length main=6.20m
length alt=20 ft 4 in
height main=2.78m
height alt=9 ft 1½ in
empty weight main=407 kg
empty weight alt= 897 lb
loaded weight main=676 kg
loaded weight alt=1,490 lb
max takeoff weight main=
max takeoff weight alt=
more general=
engine (prop)=100hp Le Rhone/80hp Gnome
type of prop=air-cooled rotary engine
number of props=1
power main=75 kW
power alt=100 hp
max speed main=120 km/h
max speed alt=75 mph
max speed more=
range main=
range alt=
ceiling main=
ceiling alt=
climb rate main= 8 minutes to 1,000 metres
climb rate alt= 8 minutes to 3,280 ft
loading main=
loading alt=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
guns=1 x 7.7 mm Lavrov machine gun

Bibliography

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