Sikorsky S-5
Sikorsky · Russia · first flew 1911 · light aircraft
The Sikorsky S-5 was an early Russian single-seat biplane designed by Igor Sikorsky and completed in late April 1911.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Single-seat biplane with the fuselage structure left exposed |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat biplane with the fuselage structure left exposed
- Single control lever with a wheel for pitch and roll
- Water-cooled 50 hp Argus engine
It is a small biplane with the fuselage structure left exposed and fabric-covered wooden wings. The Argus engine drives a propeller that Sikorsky designed himself.
Specifications
- The Sikorsky S-5 has a length of 8.5 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 125 km/h (78 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The S-5 was powered by a 50 hp Argus water-cooled engine turning a propeller that Sikorsky designed and built himself. Instead of separate levers for elevator and ailerons, he fitted a single control lever with a wheel, and it included a button switch to momentarily deactivate the ignition.
Variants
Only one S-5 was built, a one-off design by Igor Sikorsky that was lost in a crash during testing.
Where you'll see it
After a series of 20 to 30-second straight-line flights over three weeks, Sikorsky made his first real flight of four minutes on 17 May 1911. It later outperformed Imperial Russian Army aircraft during manoeuvres in September and was lost in late autumn after fuel starvation.
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