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Assembly Instructions
America’s Most Famous World War I Airplane ...
The Curtiss Jenny originated in 1914 in response to the U.S. Army’s desire for a “modern” trainer, an airplane with an enclosed
fuselage with the engine mounted on the front. Prior to the Jenny, the Army had been flying primarily open-to-the-wind pusher
airplanes, and their accident fatality record was gruesome. Even minor mishaps often ended with the pilot and instructor smashed by
a forward-hurtling engine. Eager to get the contract, aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss answered the Army’s call with two new designs,
the Curtiss Model J and the Curtiss Model N. After testing, the Army asked Curtiss to combine the best features of both designs, thus
the Curtiss “JN” was born. It was inevitable that people flying the new airplane soon expanded the initials “JN” to “Jenny”.
With America's entry into World War I, the Army began ordering large quantities of the Jenny for primary flight training. Some Jennys
were also used in observation, aerial photography, and ambulance duty. Some were equipped with bomb racks for advanced training.
The Navy even had a version of the Jenny on pontoons for seaplane training. By the time production was terminated after the Armistice,
more than 7,000 Jennys had been delivered, making it the most important American airplane design of the war.
After World War I, the Jenny was used in many new, unforeseen, roles. For instance, a Jenny flew the first official airmail flight in the
U.S. in 1918. The first airplane that most Americans of that era saw in person was a Curtiss Jenny, usually being flown by a civilian
“barnstormer”, an gypsy pilot trying make a living traveling from town to town selling rides in his government surplus Jenny. Cheap,
easily replaced Jennys became the mainstay of the colorful “Flying Circus” of the 1920s. The airplane dominated the post WWI years
so completely that this became known as the “Jenny Era” of aviation.
Your Sig Curtiss Jenny is a delightful reproduction of this classic biplane. Being a park flyer, your Jenny is capable of being flown in
small restricted areas. The rugged airframe is very light weight and will provide many enjoyable flights. Take your time and follow
the assembly instructions carefully, and your Curtiss Jenny will to take you on many rewarding barnstorming flights.
SIG CURTISS JENNY SPECIFICATIONS:
Wing Span: 32-3/8” (82.2 cm)
Wing Area: 285.4 sq.in. (18.4 sq.dm.)
Wing Loading: 5.2-5.4 oz. per sq.ft. (16 - 16.3 gr/sq.dm)
Flying Weight: 10.4 - 10.6 oz. (294 - 300gr)
Power System: 180 Class with 4.4:1 Gear Box
Propeller: E.M.I. 8.5” x 8” Propeller (215.9 x 203mm)
Radio Requirements:
(1) 3 or more channel transmitter on “Aircraft” Frequency
(1) Micro Receiver
(1) Micro Servos
(1) 5amp Electronic Speed Control
Battery: 6 cell, 720AAA mAh NiMh Square Pack
Flying Time: 10-15 Minutes
Kit # SIGRC93ARF
Curtiss Jenny
Curtiss JN-4D Jenny on training flight during World War I.
Summary of Contents for Curtiss Jenny
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