Curtiss JN-4 Canuck

A view of a restored museum example of the JN-4 Canuck in original Royal Flying Corps training colours. PHOTO: DND
Overview

Overview

During the First World War, the Royal Flying Corps began setting up flying schools in Canada starting in 1916. The Royal Flying Corps selected the Curtiss JN-3 Jenny as the training aircraft of choice. The type was then manufactured in Canada under license by Canadian Aeroplanes Limited, and the Canadian version was given the designation JN-4 Canuck. The Canuck went on to become numerically the most important trainer of Canadian and British pilots and the design lent itself to a wide variety of training purposes, including air-to-air gunnery, photography and wireless radio training. Royal Flying Corps training schools in both Canada and the United States of America used the aircraft extensively. After the war, numerous JN-4 Canucks made their way into civilian use. The Canadian government received over 50 JN-4 aircraft as part of a post-war Imperial gift, but only 10 of these aircraft saw active use in the Canadian Air Force of the 1920s.

Model Number JN-4
Role Trainer
Taken on strength 1917
Struck off strength 1924
Number 2,320
Service Royal Flying Corps / Canadian Air Force

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

Manufacturer Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd.
Crew / passengers Two pilots in tandem or one pilot plus one passenger
Powerplant One 90 hp Curtiss OX-2 or OX-5 piston engine
Maximum speed 74 mph (121 km/h)
Cruising speed 60 mph (96.5 km/h)
Service ceiling 11,000 ft (3,353 m)
Empty weight 1,390 lb (631 kg)
Gross weight 1,920 lb (872 kg)
Upper span 43 ft 7 in (13.29 m)
Lower span 34 ft 8 in (10.57 m)
Length 27 ft 3 in (8.29 m)
Height 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m)
Wing area 361 sq ft (33.5 m2)
Armament Provision for forward firing Vickers machine gun or flexible Scharff-ring mounted machine gun in rear cockpit
Cost $5,465 US

Source: Canadian Combat and Support Aircraft: A Military Compendium by T.F.J. Leversedge © 2007. Translated and reproduced with permission of the author.

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