Multi-wing fever at Windy Sock. Dave Stott's plan deserves a place in FAC's Hall of Model Fame, in ye editor's opinion. (Incidentally, why not a Hall of Fame for models as well as modelers?) Your editor's experience with the Curtis S-3 triplane goes back to 1994, when the model was completed. Structural weight was 32 grams, and it was powered with four strands of 1/8" rubber. Stability was good, and it was making 45 seconds with 1,000 turns on the 19" long motor. It earned a kanone in a WWI Mass Launch with a 51-seconds flight with a brisk wind blowing, and repeated the victory with a 56-seconds flight in another mass launch Not bad for a high-drag multi-winger, right? Not satisfied with leaving well enough alone, I converted to electric power in 2002.No record of what motor was used but power was 3x50 mah nicads. Of course, the weight shot up to 3 ounces. Not good, and she suffered subsequent damage that retired her to display pasture. A flight of 1:15 with a partial charge was recorded. With the new lithium ion batteries now available, the S-3 should be a fine performer.

Some facts about the airplane itself: That ducted spinner allowed air to cool the radiator mounted directly behind it. On its second test flight in the summer of 1917, it reached an altitude of 16,500 feet, a record at that time, powered by a 100-hp OXX2 engine. Speed was reportedly 112 mph. Triplanes passed into a short-lived fad among designers as reports of success with the Sopwith Triplane spread. The hooplah was probably started by the Red Baron himself as he praised the Sopwith, causing Fokker to come up with the Dr.1. Other designers kicked in with their versions as well. But the original source of the design, the RAF itself, did not agree with the success stories and reduced production! Editorially speaking, I think the high aspect ratio wings are the secret of the model's stability, a feature which the Fokker Dr.1 did not have. Trimming the Dr.1 for flight is quite a challenge.

Dave Stott chose brown for color but here's what Air Force Colors says:"None of the available data relating to the S-3 clearly defines its colors and markings. Indirectly, we learn from Air Force Colors - Volume I, page 6: ‘The star insignia began to replace the red, white and blue World War I style three-circle insignia (cockades) in May 1919.' The four S-3's were delivered to the Army in early 1917, so we have to assume the cockades were standard at that time. In regard to overall color, the same source says, ‘The British chose to paint their aircraft overall khaki, and the Americans followed suit."Several photos of the S-3 seem to show coloring somewhat darker than khaki but not dark enough for brown. So you pays your nickel and takes your chances. Dave's color scheme is "earth brown in the fabric areas, and light grey for metal panels and struts." According to the article in the FAC News (date unknown), Dave's model weighed 1.25 ounces with four strands of 1/8" rubber, 20" long. Flight times he reported as "close to one minute." Thanks to Dave Stott for an excellent rendition of this unique airplane!

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