Thomas-Morse MB-6
Thomas-Morse Aircraft · United States · first flew 1921 · light aircraft
The Thomas-Morse MB-6 was an American racing aircraft built by Thomas-Morse Aircraft for the US Army Air Service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 5.64 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Compact single-seat racing biplane
- Redesigned MB-3 with reduced wingspan
- Single Wright H-2 engine of 400 hp
A small biplane racer with a wingspan of only 5.79 m and a length of 5.64 m.
Specifications
- The Thomas-Morse MB-6 has a length of 5.64 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 5.79 m (19 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 258 km/h (160 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
After an MB-3 finished second in the 1920 Pulitzer Trophy air race, the Army ordered three aircraft on 21 May 1921. The MB-6 was a redesigned MB-3 with a reduced wingspan and a 400 hp Wright H-2 engine, and the second aircraft first flew on 21 October 1921.
Variants
Three were ordered. The first was used for ground testing, and the third crashed during a landing and was destroyed.
Where you'll see it
The MB-6 competed in the 1921 Pulitzer Trophy, flown by Lt J. A. McCready, and came third at 160.71 mph. It was given the military designation R-2 in 1922 and was scrapped on 31 October 1924.
Related aircraft
- Thomas-Morse MB-7
- Thomas-Morse MB-4
- Thomas-Morse MB-9
- Thomas-Morse R-5
- Avro 552
- Besson H-6
- Blériot-SPAD S.25
- Blériot-SPAD S.42
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