Russo-Balt
Sikorsky S-20
The Sikorsky S‑20, built under license by the Russian firm Russo‑Balt between 1915 and 1917, was a single‑engine, two‑seat biplane that embodied the transition from early experimental flight to practical military and civilian use. Designed by Igor Sikorsky while he was chief engineer at the Russo‑Balt factory, the S‑20 incorporated a 140‑hp Argus water‑cooled inline engine, a wooden frame covered with fabric, and a distinctive staggered wing arrangement that improved lift and visibility for the pilot and observer. Its conventional tailplane and fixed tailskid undercarriage gave it reliable handling on the rough fields common on the Eastern Front.
The aircraft entered service with the Imperial Russian Air Service in early 1916, where it performed reconnaissance, light bombing, and training missions. Its relatively high speed of 115 km/h and a service ceiling of 3,500 meters made it competitive with contemporary Western designs. The S‑20’s modular construction allowed rapid field repairs, and its dual‑control cockpit facilitated pilot instruction, contributing to the rapid expansion of Russian aviators during World War I.
Although production ceased after the 1917 Revolution, the Sikorsky S‑20 demonstrated the feasibility of integrating advanced Western engineering with Russian manufacturing, influencing later Soviet biplanes and cementing Sikorsky’s reputation as a pioneering aircraft designer. A handful of original S‑20 airframes survive in Russian aviation museums, where they are displayed as symbols of early 20th‑century innovation and the collaborative spirit that shaped future Soviet aeronautics.
The aircraft entered service with the Imperial Russian Air Service in early 1916, where it performed reconnaissance, light bombing, and training missions. Its relatively high speed of 115 km/h and a service ceiling of 3,500 meters made it competitive with contemporary Western designs. The S‑20’s modular construction allowed rapid field repairs, and its dual‑control cockpit facilitated pilot instruction, contributing to the rapid expansion of Russian aviators during World War I.
Although production ceased after the 1917 Revolution, the Sikorsky S‑20 demonstrated the feasibility of integrating advanced Western engineering with Russian manufacturing, influencing later Soviet biplanes and cementing Sikorsky’s reputation as a pioneering aircraft designer. A handful of original S‑20 airframes survive in Russian aviation museums, where they are displayed as symbols of early 20th‑century innovation and the collaborative spirit that shaped future Soviet aeronautics.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 5
Design & Classification
- Manufacturer
- Russo-Balt
- Designer
- Igor Sikorsky
- Operator
-
Imperial Russian Air Service Soviet Air Forces
- Wikidata ID
- Q2087230