Curtiss HS

Curtiss · United States · first flew 1917 · transport aircraft

The Curtiss HS was a single-engine patrol flying boat used by the United States Navy during and after the First World War for coastal anti-submarine patrol. The HS-2L became the most widely used variant and was later adapted for early airmail and passenger services.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• WWI single-engine US Navy patrol flying boat
• Liberty V-12 engine in pusher configuration above hull
• Biplane wings with single tractor or pusher engine

A biplane flying boat with the pusher Liberty engine mounted above the lower wing on struts between the wings, a wide single-step hull, and the open crew positions characteristic of WWI patrol aircraft.

Specifications

• The Curtiss HS has a length of 11.89 m (39 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 22.86 m (75 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 132 km/h (82 mph).
• Typical crew: 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The HS-1 flew in 1917 and the improved HS-2L with a Liberty V-12 engine became the standard US Navy patrol flying boat of the late war period. Over 1,000 were built and many were declared surplus after 1918, entering civil use for joy-riding, early airmail, and bush flying across North America. The HS-2L was particularly important in the development of early Canadian aviation.

Variants

HS-1L was the initial variant; HS-2L used the Liberty 12A engine in a larger hull; HS-3 was an unsuccessful improved design.

Where you'll see it

US Navy coastal patrol in WWI; wide post-war civil use in North America, particularly in Canada for bush and float operations.

Related aircraft

• Curtiss HS-2L
• Curtiss MF Boat
• Curtiss N-9H
• Curtiss JN-4
• Albatros J.I
• Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen FF.49
• Junkers J.I
• Rumpler C.VIII

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