Sikorsky S-20
| RBVZ S-XX | |
|---|---|
| 300px | |
| Role | Fighter |
| Manufacturer | RBVZ (Russo-Baltic Wagon Works) |
| Designer | Igor Sikorsky |
| First flight | 1916 |
| Introduction | 1916 |
| Retired | 1920 |
| Primary user | Imperial Russian Air Service |
| Number built | 5 |
The Sikorsky S-20 (named after its designer) or RBVZ S-XX (named after its manufacturer) was a Russian single-bay unequal span two-seat biplane designed by Igor Sikorsky in 1916. Displaying some Nieuport influence, it saw very little service during World War I.
Five S-XX aircraft were built in September 1916, with the first two powered by the 100 hp Gnome rotary engine which had powered its predecessor, the RBVZ S-XVI. However, the other three were powered with the 120 hp Le Rhone engine, with which they were allegedly faster than the French Nieuport 17.
Operational history
The S-XX saw little service because it was viewed as inferior to newer enemy aircraft, and no series production was undertaken. As such, only five aircraft were ever produced.
List of operators
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 6.50m (21 ft 3⅞ in)
- Wingspan: 8.60m (28 ft 2½ in)
- Height: m ()
- Wing area: 17m² (182.99 ft²)
- Empty weight: 395 kg (871 lb)
- Loaded weight: 570 kg (1,257 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × 120hp Le Rhône air-cooled rotary engine, 90 kW (120 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 190 km/h (118 mph)
- Endurance:
- Climb to 2,000 m (6,560 ft): 6.33 min
Armament
- Guns: 1 x 7.7 mm Lavrov machine gun
Bibliography
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sikorsky aircraft. |
- William Green and Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Colour Library Direct, Godalming, UK: 1994. ISBN 1-85833-777-1.
