Curtiss JN-4
Curtiss · United States · first flew 1915 · light aircraft
The Curtiss JN-4 'Jenny' was the principal American primary trainer of World War I, used to train the majority of American and many Canadian military pilots. After the war, surplus Jennies became the backbone of barnstorming aviation across North America.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.33 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- World War I American primary trainer 'Jenny'
- Equal-span biplane with OX-5 V-8 engine
- Trained most USAS and Canadian RFC pilots in WWI
A classic equal-span biplane with a 90-degree V-8 OX-5 engine in a horse-collar radiator mounting, tandem open cockpits, and a simple conventional undercarriage; one of the most recognisable WWI aircraft.
Specifications
- The Curtiss JN-4 has a length of 8.33 m (27 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.3 m (44 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 121 km/h (75 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Over 6,800 JN-4s were produced, making it one of the most significant American aircraft of the era. After the Armistice, thousands were sold as war surplus at very low prices, enabling a generation of civilian pilots and barnstormers to operate them throughout the 1920s. The Jenny effectively created the popular aviation movement in the United States and Canada.
Variants
Major variants included the JN-4A, JN-4B, JN-4C, JN-4D (the most common), and the Canadian-built JN-4 (Can); the JN-4H had a more powerful Hispano-Suiza engine.
Where you'll see it
Used by the US Army Air Service and Royal Flying Corps Canada for primary training through World War I; widely used in civil aviation through the 1920s.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.