Object ID:
2015.11.77
VE Exhibit Label 1:
Model O Gunbus
The Burgess Company Model O Gunbus was a pusher observation biplane designed by W. Starling Burgess for the Royal Navy Air Service. There were 36 built. It was ordered on May 23, 1915 at a price of $11,500 each. The Model O Gunbus delivery to RNAS Hendon began on July 28, 1915. Its first flight was in June 1915 at Squantum by Frank Coffyn with Cmdr. Harry Busteed RNAS.
Royal Navy officers had visited Marblehead to give their aircraft specifications, requirements and timeframe for delivery to Burgess and Greely Curtis. After some discussion in regards to current Burgess aeroplanes, specifically the Burgess Dunne Reconnaissance type, Burgess agreed to design an aircraft to their custom specifications.
The Model O Gunbus was then completely designed and the first aircraft built within 21 days from their initial meeting. It was a two place, tandem, land plane powered by a Sturtevant D-5 V-8 140 hp engine. Its span was 45', length 31'6" and a live load of 920 lbs. It had a minimum speed of 47 mph, a maximum speed of 85 mph and an endurance of four hours. It had ailerons on the upper wings.
The first Gunbus assembled at RNAS Hendon was completed on July 28, 1915. Its first flight was on August 26, 1915. The Model O was not assigned to squadron service. Some Gunbuses were sent to the Isle of Grain and to 4 Wing at Eastchurch. One was placed in storage at Central Stores Depot, White City, London and then condemned in May 1916. A single complete Model O Gunbus did get shipped to Australia from storage in 1917 and was used in an Air Force technical training school there until 1919 when it was surveyed.
The Royal Navy Serial numbers include #3657 through 3683 and # 8258 through 8268.
The Burgess Company Model O Gunbus was a pusher observation biplane designed by W. Starling Burgess for the Royal Navy Air Service. There were 36 built. It was ordered on May 23, 1915 at a price of $11,500 each. The Model O Gunbus delivery to RNAS Hendon began on July 28, 1915. Its first flight was in June 1915 at Squantum by Frank Coffyn with Cmdr. Harry Busteed RNAS.
Royal Navy officers had visited Marblehead to give their aircraft specifications, requirements and timeframe for delivery to Burgess and Greely Curtis. After some discussion in regards to current Burgess aeroplanes, specifically the Burgess Dunne Reconnaissance type, Burgess agreed to design an aircraft to their custom specifications.
The Model O Gunbus was then completely designed and the first aircraft built within 21 days from their initial meeting. It was a two place, tandem, land plane powered by a Sturtevant D-5 V-8 140 hp engine. Its span was 45', length 31'6" and a live load of 920 lbs. It had a minimum speed of 47 mph, a maximum speed of 85 mph and an endurance of four hours. It had ailerons on the upper wings.
The first Gunbus assembled at RNAS Hendon was completed on July 28, 1915. Its first flight was on August 26, 1915. The Model O was not assigned to squadron service. Some Gunbuses were sent to the Isle of Grain and to 4 Wing at Eastchurch. One was placed in storage at Central Stores Depot, White City, London and then condemned in May 1916. A single complete Model O Gunbus did get shipped to Australia from storage in 1917 and was used in an Air Force technical training school there until 1919 when it was surveyed.
The Royal Navy Serial numbers include #3657 through 3683 and # 8258 through 8268.
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Burgess Model O Gunbus
Burgess Model O
Model O Gunbus
Model O In Flight
Burgess Model O Gunbus
Burgess Model O
Model O Gunbus
Model O In Flight