Burgess Model K

The Burgess Model K, produced by the Burgess Company of Massachusetts in the early 1910s, was one of the United States’ first successful pusher‑type biplanes. Developed from the earlier Burgess Model H and inspired by the European “Farman” design, the Model K first flew in 1911 and quickly demonstrated its reliability in both aerobatic exhibitions and military trials. Its airframe featured a wooden lattice structure with fabric covering, a 70‑horsepower Curtiss OX‑5 V‑type engine mounted behind the pilot, and twin rudders for improved directional control. The aircraft’s wings were of equal span, equipped with ailerons on the upper surfaces, and the landing gear consisted of a simple split‑axle arrangement suitable for the rough fields of the era.

The Model K gained particular fame when it was acquired by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, becoming one of the earliest aircraft used for reconnaissance and pilot training. Its ease of handling and modest payload capacity helped shape early military aviation doctrine, proving that a lightweight, maneuverable platform could perform useful scouting missions. By illustrating the viability of domestically built aircraft for both civilian stunt shows and governmental service, the Burgess Model K played a pivotal role in establishing American aeronautical engineering and influencing subsequent biplane designs leading up to World War I.