Caspar U.1
| Caspar U.1 | |
|---|---|
| Caspar U.1 under test by the U.S. Navy | |
| General information | |
| Type | Submarine-launched patrol seaplane |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Caspar-Werke |
| Designer | |
| Primary user | Reichsmarine |
| Number built | 3 |
| History | |
| First flight | 1922 |
The Caspar U.1 (also referred to as the Caspar-Heinkel U.1) was a German patrol floatplane of the 1920s, designed by Ernst Heinkel and built by Caspar-Werke.[1] It was intended to be disassembled and stored inside a cylindrical container for transport aboard a submarine, from which it could be quickly assembled and launched.[1]
Development
The U.1 was designed to meet a requirement for an aircraft that could be stored inside a cylindrical container 7.40 metres (24.3 ft) long with a diameter of 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in); this would allow it to be carried aboard a submarine.[1] To reduce the time needed for assembly and launch, it was built as a cantilever biplane, eliminating the need to rig struts and wires during erection.[1] The aircraft was fitted with two single-step floats and powered by a front-mounted 55 horsepower (41 kW) Siemens radial piston engine.[1] The pilot sat in an open cockpit positioned behind the upper wing, providing an unobstructed forward view.[1] It was claimed that, during tests, four men were able to remove the U.1 from its container and assemble it in just 1 minute and 3 seconds.[1]
Two aircraft were purchased by the United States Navy for evaluation.[1] They were delivered to Naval Air Station Anacostia in late 1922 and tested during 1923. One of the aircraft was damaged beyond repair while mounted on a truck for a parade.[2]
Operators
Specifications
Data from Flight, June 1923[3]
General characteristics
- Crew: Two
- Length: 6.20 m (20 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 7.80 m (25 ft 7 in)
- Height: 2.34 m (7 ft 8 in)
- Wing area: 14 m2 (150 sq ft)
- Empty weight: 360 kg (794 lb)
- Gross weight: 510 kg (1,124 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Siemens 5-cylinder radial engine, 37 kW (50 hp)
- Propellers: 2-bladed
Performance
- Maximum speed: 145 km/h (90 mph, 78 kn)
- Cruise speed: 121 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
- Time to altitude: 7 mins to 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
- Landing speed: 75 km/h (47 mph; 40 kn)
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
- List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)
- List of flying boats and floatplanes
- List of submarine-borne aircraft
References
Notes
Bibliography
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
- Herris, Jack (2020). German Aircraft of Minor Manufacturers in WWI: A Centennial Perspective on Great War Airplanes. Gret War Aviation Centennial Series (49). Vol. 1: Alter to Korn. n.p.: Aeronaut Books. ISBN 978-1-935881-85-8.
- Passingham, Malcolm (February 2000). "Les hydravions embarqués sur sous-marins" [Submarine-carried Seaplanes]. Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire (in French) (83): 7–17. ISSN 1243-8650.