Time Period: World War I
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Type: Biplane, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (Scout)
Manufacturer: Martinsyde
Martinsyde S.1 Aircraft Overview
The Martinsyde S.1 was a British biplane fighter aircraft developed by the Martinsyde Company during World War I. It was one of the first British aircraft to be designed specifically as a fighter, and it saw significant use in combat during the early stages of the war.
The S.1 had a wooden frame covered in fabric and was powered by a 100-horsepower Gnome rotary engine. It had a wingspan of 8.5 meters and a length of 6.3 meters. The aircraft was armed with a single .303 Lewis machine gun, which was mounted on the top wing and fired over the propeller arc.
The Martinsyde S.1 was known for its speed and maneuverability, and it quickly gained a reputation as a formidable fighter. However, the aircraft was also notoriously difficult to fly, and it suffered from a number of design flaws, including poor visibility and a tendency to stall at low speeds.
Despite its limitations, the Martinsyde S.1 was widely used by the Royal Flying Corps during the early stages of World War I, and it played an important role in the development of British fighter aircraft. The aircraft was later superseded by more advanced designs, but it remains an important part of the early history of military aviation.
Martinsyde S.1 Specifications
- Crew: One
- Length: 21 ft 0 in (6.4 m)
- Wingspan: 27 ft 8 in (8.43 m)
- Height: 8 ft 2 in (2.5 m)
- Wing area: 280 sq ft (26.01 m2)
- Powerplant: 1 × Gnome rotary piston, 80 hp (60 kW).
Martinsyde S.1 Performance
- Maximum speed: 87 mph (140 km/h, 76 kn).
Martinsyde S.1 Armament
- Forward firing 0.303in (7.7mm) Lewis machine gun.
