Thomas-Morse MB-9
Thomas-Morse Aircraft · United States · first flew 1922 · fighter
The Thomas-Morse MB-9 was an experimental American fighter of the 1920s, a single-engined, single-seat parasol monoplane that was quickly abandoned.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Torpedo-shaped radiator structure under the fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-seat parasol monoplane
- All-metal construction with corrugated duralumin skin
- Torpedo-shaped radiator structure under the fuselage
A parasol monoplane with a radiator and oil tank in a torpedo-shaped structure under the fuselage, 5.79 m long with an 8.84 m wingspan.
Specifications
- The Thomas-Morse MB-9 has a length of 5.79 m (19 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.84 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 270 km/h (168 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
B. Douglas Thomas designed it in 1921 alongside the two-seat MB-10 trainer. The MB-9 was completed early in 1922 with a 320 hp Wright Hispano H-3 V8 engine.
Variants
The MB-9 was the single-seat fighter and the MB-10 a two-seat primary trainer with a Le Rhône rotary engine. One of each was built.
Where you'll see it
It suffered severe vibration, structural problems, a weak undercarriage and cooling problems, and development stopped. It was not sent for formal evaluation at McCook Field.
Related aircraft
- Thomas-Morse R-5
- Thomas-Morse MB-6
- Thomas-Morse MB-7
- Thomas-Morse MB-4
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