Sikorsky S-16
Russo-Balt / RBVZ · Russian Empire · first flew 1915 · fighter
The Sikorsky S-16 was a single-seat biplane fighter designed by Igor Sikorsky and built by Russo-Balt (RBVZ) for the Imperial Russian Air Service during World War I. It was one of the first purpose-built Russian fighter designs.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine WWI-era Russian biplane fighter
- Open-cockpit tractor biplane with circular cowl
- Sesquiplane layout with smaller lower wing
A compact single-engine biplane with a rounded nose cowl, unequal-span wings, and an open cockpit; the smaller lower wing gives a sesquiplane appearance distinguishing it from contemporary designs.
Specifications
- The Sikorsky S-16 has a length of 6.2 m (20 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.4 m (28 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 120 km/h (75 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed in 1914–1915 by Igor Sikorsky, the S-16 entered service with the Imperial Russian Air Service and was used both as a fighter escort for the large Ilya Muromets bombers and for general patrol duties. Production was limited by Russia's industrial capacity. The type saw combat on the Eastern Front.
Variants
A small number of variants existed with different engine fits; some were configured as two-seaters for escort duties alongside the Ilya Muromets.
Where you'll see it
Operated exclusively by the Imperial Russian Air Service on the Eastern Front during World War I, with a modest production run of approximately 18 aircraft.
Related aircraft
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