Sikorsky Russky Vityaz

infobox Aircraft
name = Russky Vityaz
type = four-engine passenger aircraft

manufacturer = Igor Sikorsky



caption = Improved version with four propellers.
designer = Igor Sikorsky
first flight = May 10, 1913
introduction =
retired =
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primary user =
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produced =
number built = 1
program cost=
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The Sikorsky Russky Vityaz ("Русский витязь" in Russian, or Russian Knight), also called Le Grand, was the first four-engine aircraft in the world, designed and built by Igor Sikorsky in Russia in the spring of 1913.

Sikorsky conceived the "Russky Vityaz" in 1911, when no known aircraft could lift more than 600 kilograms. The carrying capacity record belonged to a French pilot Ducis, who had flown 800 meters with a load of 600 kg. On hearing about the ongoing construction of the Russky Vityaz and its capabilities in the early spring of 1913, the experts and the media around the world were predicting its complete failure. However, the first aerial test of the Russky Vityaz on May 10, 1913 was successful. At the time, many people in other parts of the world considered it to be a newspaper hoax, and did not believe it. Observers believed that an aircraft with such dimensions would never leave the ground.

The Russky Vityaz was a four-engine multi-stanchion biplane with different-sized wings. The dual-spar wings had a rectangular form and a depth of 2.5 m. The distance between the wings was 2.5 m, as well. Its fuselage represented a girder with a rectangular section, trimmed with plywood sheets. The aircraft had a cabin with a duplicated steering column, two passenger cabins and a storage room for spare parts. There was also an area in the pilot's cabin equipped with a searchlight and machine gun. The ailerons on the upper wings secured the aircraft’s stability. The Russky Vityaz was equipped with four engines, installed in tandem (it was designed as a two-engine plane).

After the Russky Vityaz's first test flights between May 10 and May 27, 1913, it was established that a passenger could even walk around the cabins without causing any problems to stability. The aircraft left the ground after a 700-meter takeoff run.

Unfortunately, Sikorsky’s aspirations for the Russky Vityaz proved to be short-lived. While parked on the runway, the aircraft was crushed by an engine, which had fallen off the landing one-passenger Morane aircraft. Sikorsky decided not to repair the seriously damaged Russky Vityaz and began working on his next brainchild – the famous "Ilya Muromets".

pecifications (Russky Vityaz)

Aircraft specification

plane or copter?=plane
jet or prop?=prop
crew=3
length main=20 m

length alt=65 ft 7 in
span main=
*Top wing: 27 m (88 ft 7 in)
*Bottom wing: 20 m
span alt=65 ft 7 in
height main=4m

height alt=
area main=120 m²

area alt=1,290 ft²
empty weight main=3,400 kg

empty weight alt=7,495 lb
loaded weight main=4,000 kg

loaded weight alt=8,820 lb
max takeoff weight main=4,940 kg

max takeoff weight alt=10,890 lb
more general=
engine (prop)=Argus Motoren
type of prop=inline engines
number of props=4
power main=75 kW
power alt=100 hp
max speed main=90 km/h

max speed alt=55 mph
range main=170 km

range alt=105 mi
ceiling main=600 m

ceiling alt=1,970 ft
climb rate main=

climb rate alt=
loading main=

loading alt=
power/mass main=
power/mass alt=
more performance=
armament=

ee also

aircontent
related=
similar aircraft=
sequence=Sikorsky Ilya Muromets - Sikorsky Alexander Nevsky
see also=
lists=