- Curtiss Model 41 Lark
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Curtiss Lark Role Biplane National origin United States of America Manufacturer Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company Introduction 1925 Developed from Curtiss Carrier Pigeon The Curtiss Model 41 Lark was a commercial biplane manufactured by Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company that was used by pioneering airmail, airline and bush pilots in the 1920s.
Contents
Development
The biplane was based on the Curtiss Carrier Pigeon, a purpose-built aircraft for airmail operations. The Lark had a lower, longer wingspan than the Carrier Pigeon. Some models were converted to floatplane configuration with a central mounted pontoon and wing mounted floats.[1]
A 200 hp Wright J-4 variant was tested for the United States Navy. The Navy considered this installation superior in performance to the Curtiss engined model.[2] This version eventually became the basis for the Curtiss Fledgling series of aircraft.[3]
Design
The biplane was made of welded tube with fabric covering. It was delivered with three engine choices, the Curtiss C-6, the Wright Whirlwind J-4, and the Wright-Hisso E. All four wing panels were interchangeable, giving the aircraft its unusual longer lower wing span and defining it as an inverted sequiplane.[4]
Operational history
Patrica Airways operated a Lark for early bushplane operations. The aircraft flew with floats in warm weather, and skis in the winter.[5] The aircraft was pressed into service as an early hearse once, with the cargo needing to be seated upside down in the open seat and secured with haywire.[6].
Florida Airways operated a Curtiss Lark Miss Tallahassee on its CAM-10 U.S. airmail route between Miami and Atlanta. The aircraft was bought to take the place of 2 lost Stout 2-AT Pullman aircraft that could not operate out of the poorly prepared airstrips.[7]
Colonial Air Transport owned a Curtiss Lark was one of the first aircraft to be registered using the new Underwriters Laboratories all-letter system (1921 to 1923). This Lark, registered as N-AABC, was used on the CAM-1 U.S. airmail route.[8]
Variants
- Curtiss Carrier Pigeon; The basis for the Lark aircraft.
Specifications (Curtiss C-6 engine)
Data from aerofiles
General characteristics
- Capacity: 4
- Length: 22 ft 3 in (6.78 m)
- Wingspan: 30 ft 8 in (9.35 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Curtiss C-6 , 160 hp (120 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 102 kn; 188 km/h (117 mph)
- Cruise speed: 87 kn; 160 km/h (100 mph)
- Stall speed: 42 kn; 77 km/h (48 mph)
- Service ceiling: 13,100 ft (4,000 m)
Notes
- ^ Géza Szurovy. Bushplanes. ISBN 0760314780.
- ^ United States Naval Institute (1926). Vol 52 of Proceedings.
- ^ "K through Z". http://www.aerofiles.com/_curtx.html. Retrieved 16 Feb 2011.
- ^ American Aviation Historical Society. AAHS journal, Volumes 18-19.
- ^ Peter Pigott. Flying Canucks: famous Canadian aviators. ISBN 0888821751.
- ^ Michael Barnes. Red Lake: Golden Treasure Chest. ISBN 1897113951.
- ^ Walter David Lewis. Eddie Rickenbacker: an American hero in the twentieth century. ISBN 0801882443.
- ^ "the numbers racket". http://www.aerofiles.com/regs.html. Retrieved 16 Feb 2011.
References
External links
[1] Canadian Aviation and Science Museum photos of the Curtiss Lark
Aircraft produced by Curtiss and Curtiss-Wright Manufacturer
designationsModel letters: C • D • E • F • G • GS • H • J • K • L • M • N • PN • JN • R • S
Model numbers: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 23 • 24 • 26 • 28 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40 • 41 • 42 • 43 • 44 • 47 • 48 • 49 • 50 • 51 • 52 • 53 • 54 • 55 • 56 • 57 • 58 • 59A/59B • 60 • 61 • 62 • 63 • 64 • 66 • 67 • 68 • 69 • 70 • 71 • 72 • 73 • 75 • 76 • 77 • 79 • 81 • 82 • 84 • 85 • 86 • 87 • 88 • 90 • 91 • 94 • 95 • 96 • 97 • 98 •
"CW" models: CW-1 • CW-2 • CW-3 • CW-4 • CW-5 • CW-6 • CW-7 • CW-8 • CW-9 • CW-10 • CW-11 • CW-12 • CW-14 • CW-15 • CW-16 • CW-17 • CW-18 • CW-19 • CW-20 • CW-21 • CW-22 • CW-23 • CW-24 • CW-25 • CW-27 • CW-29 • CW-32
By role Experimental: No. 1 • Model C • Tanager
Racing: No. 2 • CR • R2C • R3C
General utility: Model D • Model E • Model F • Robin • Thrush
Maritime patrol: Model H • HS-1L and -2L
Training: Model L • Model JN • Fledgling • AT-4 Hawk • AT-5 Hawk
Fighters: 18 • PW-8 • P-1 • P-2 • P-3 • P-4 • P-5 • P-6 • XP-31 • P-36 • P-40 • XP-46 • XP-53 • YP-60 • XP-62 • XP-71 • XP-87
Naval Fighters: HA • FC • F2C • F3C • F4C • F6C • F7C • F8C • F9C • F10C • F11C • XF12C • F13C • XF14C • XF15C
Airliners: Eagle • Condor II • Kingbird
Naval Scouts/Dive Bombers: CS • GS • S2C • XS3C • S4C • SC • SBC • SB2C • XSB3C • SOC • SO2C • SO3C
Observation: O-1 • O-12 • O-13 • O-16 • O-18 • O-26 • O-39 • O-40 • O-52
Naval Observation: OC • O2C • O3C
Naval Bombers: 24 • BFC • BF2C • XBTC • XBT2C
Ground Attack: A-3 • A-4 • A-5 • A-6 • A-8 • YA-10 • A-12 • YA-14 • A-25 • A-40 • XA-43
Licensed production: NBS-1
Lists relating to aviation General Aircraft (manufacturers) · Aircraft engines (manufacturers) · Airlines (defunct) · Airports · Civil authorities · Museums · Registration prefixes · Rotorcraft (manufacturers) · TimelineMilitary Accidents/incidents Records Categories:- Curtiss aircraft
- Single-engine aircraft
- United States mailplanes 1920–1929
- United States civil utility aircraft 1920–1929
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