Boeing Model 3, Photos, Specifications and Performance Data

Boeing Model 3 Seaplane
Single-Engine 2-Seat Twin-Float Biplane Trainer

Overview ^1,2

Boeing Model 3
Role: Trainer
Manufacturer: Boeing
Designer: James Foley, Tsu Wong
First flight: unknown
Primary users: U.S. Navy, Private owner
Number built: 3

Historic Photos ²

The Boeing Model 3 (C-5, 6, 11) was a slightly revised version of the Model 2 (C-4), the major outward difference being rearrangement of the center section struts to join at the centerline of the upper wing. C-5 and C-6 were sold to the United States Navy for evaluation as trainers after the United States entered World War I and C-11, rebuilt from the C-4, was delivered to a private owner in July 1918. ²

Design and Development ¹

Pacific Aero-Products, the forerunner of the Boeing Company, built its first all-original airplane, the "Model C" naval trainer. Early design work was started in late 1915, with the first wind tunnel tests being conducted at MIT’s 4 ft wind tunnel in May 1916. Much of the design work was performed by James Foley, who had previously assisted George Conrad Westervelt in designing the Boeing Model 1. Westervelt, who had been reassigned to the East Coast in December 1915, consulted heavily on the design. Wong Tsu, a MIT graduate who was hired by Boeing in May, 1916, also contributed to the design, specifically lending his expertise in analysis of wind tunnel data. A total of 56 Boeing "C-type" trainers were built; 55 used twin pontoons. The Model C-1F had a single main pontoon and small auxiliary floats under each wing and was powered by a Curtiss OX-5 engine.

Operational History ¹

The success of the Model C led to Boeing’s first military contract in April 1917 and prompted both its reincorporation as the Boeing Airplane Company and relocation from Lake Union, Washington to a former shipyard on the Duwamish River, also in Washington. The United States Navy bought 51 of the Model C trainers, including the Model C-1F, and the United States Army bought two landplane versions with side-by-side seating, designated the EA.

The final Model C was built for William Boeing and was called the C-700 (the last Navy plane had been Navy serial number 699). On March 3, 1919 Boeing and Eddie Hubbard flew the C-700 on the first international mail delivery, carrying 60 letters from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to Seattle, Washington.

Variants ¹

Boeing Model 2 - Original design (one built).
Boeing Model 3 - version with revised cabane struts (three built).
Boeing Model 4 - a.k.a. EA landplane version for US Army (two built).
Boeing Model 5 - (C-650 thru C-700, C-1F, CL-4S) revised Model 3s for US Navy (50 built).
Boeing Model C-700 - Model 5 outfitted as mailplane.

Operators ¹

United States Army Air Service
United States Navy

Boeing Model 3 Specifications ²

General Characteristics

Type: Trainer
Accommodation: 2 in tandem
Powerplant: 1 × Hall-Scott A-7A engine, 100 hp (74.6 kW)
Wingspan:
Length: 27 ft 0 in (8.23 m) overall
Height: 12 ft 7 in (3.84 m)
Wing area: 495 ft² (45.99 m²)
Empty weight: 1,898 lb (861 kg)
Gross weight: 2,395 lb (1,086 kg)

Performance

Maximum speed: 72.7 mph (117 km/h)
Cruise speed: 65 mph (105 km/h)
Range: 200 miles (322 km)
Service ceiling: 6,500 ft (1,981 m)
MSN: 6, 7, 8
Navy serial numbers: A-147 (MSN 6), A-148 (MSN 7)

References

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Boeing Model 2
Bowers, Peter M. Boeing Aircraft since 1916, Putnam Aeronautical Books, London, 1989, ISBN 0-87021-037-8, pp. 41-42
Shupek, John. The Skytamer Archive, Skytamer Images