Curtiss Model D

Curtiss · United States · first flew 1911 · light aircraft

The Curtiss Model D was one of Glenn Curtiss's early pusher biplanes, featuring a canard elevator forward of the main wings and an open-frame fuselage. It was used for exhibition flying and training in the early years of aviation.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	8.92 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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

Spot it by:

Early pusher biplane with front elevator
Pilot seated ahead of the wings on an open framework
Single pusher propeller driven by chain or direct shaft

An open-framework pusher biplane with the pilot perched forward of the wings on a lower spar, with a foreplane elevator and a rear-mounted engine and propeller; the lack of an enclosed fuselage is immediately obvious.

Specifications

The Curtiss Model D has a length of 8.92 m (29 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.66 m (38 ft).
Its maximum speed is 80 km/h (50 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

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

History

The Curtiss Model D and its close relatives were produced from around 1911 and were sold to early aviators and military buyers. Several examples were acquired by the US Army Signal Corps as part of the earliest American military aviation procurement.

Variants

The Curtiss pusher family included several closely related variants designated D-III, D-IV and so on, differing mainly in engine power and minor structural details; some were seaplanes.

Where you'll see it

Operated by early US Army aviation units and by civilian exhibition pilots throughout the United States; a handful were exported to foreign buyers, helping spread aviation knowledge internationally.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.