Stout ST-1

Stout Metal Airplane · United States · first flew 1922 · bomber

The Stout ST-1 was an American all-metal torpedo bomber of 1922, ordered by the US Navy as one of the first all-metal monoplane aircraft for naval aviation, using corrugated Duralumin skin inspired by Junkers construction methods. The sole completed example crashed at the acceptance demonstration, ending the programme.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• Corrugated all-metal Duralumin skin — Junkers-inspired construction
• Mid-wing cantilever monoplane with twin V-12 engines
• Twin-fin twin-rudder tail assembly

A distinctive mid-wing cantilever monoplane with corrugated metal skin, twin water-cooled V-12 engines on the mid wing, and a twin-fin tail. The corrugated skin gives it a ribbed appearance similar to Junkers commercial aircraft of the same era.

Specifications

• The Stout ST-1 has a length of 11.28 m (37 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 18.29 m (60 ft).
• Typical crew: 2–3 (pilot, observer, gunner).

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

History

William Bushnell Stout convinced the US Navy to fund six ST-1 torpedo bombers in 1922, arguing that all-metal cantilever monoplane construction would outperform contemporary fabric biplanes. One aircraft was completed; it crashed on its delivery flight before the Navy could evaluate it, and the contract was cancelled. Stout's methods directly influenced Henry Ford, who hired him to establish Ford Air Transport Service and develop the Ford Trimotor.

Variants

Only one of six contracted aircraft was completed.

Where you'll see it

Never entered naval service; the sole aircraft was destroyed in the acceptance crash.

Related aircraft

• Stout 2-AT Pullman
• Breguet 19
• Mitsubishi 1MT
• Schneider Henri-Paul
• Vickers Virginia

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