Curtiss Oriole
Curtiss · United States · first flew 1919 · light aircraft
The Curtiss Oriole was an American three-seat open-cockpit biplane produced from 1919, designed for the post-World War I civil aviation market as a touring and sport aircraft. It drew on Curtiss's extensive wartime manufacturing experience.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.62 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- American three-seat open-cockpit biplane of 1919
- Post-WWI Curtiss civil touring and sport biplane
- Derived from wartime Curtiss design experience
A typical immediate post-WWI American biplane, slightly more refined than wartime types, distinguishable by its three-seat open cabin and the clean Curtiss biplane construction style.
Specifications
- The Curtiss Oriole has a length of 7.62 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.97 m (36 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 138 km/h (86 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 + 2 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Built by the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in the immediate post-war period, the Oriole was one of the company's efforts to convert wartime production capacity to civil aviation. It was used in barnstorming and sport flying.
Variants
The Oriole was produced in single-seat and three-seat configurations; some were fitted with OX-5 and other available wartime surplus engines.
Where you'll see it
Sold to private owners and barnstormers across the United States in the early 1920s; limited export sales occurred.
Related aircraft
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