Curtiss Robin

Role:  Touring

National Origin: United States

Manufacturer: Curtiss-Robertson Airplane Manufacturing Company

First Flight: 1928

Primary User: US Private Owner Market

Number Built: 769

The Curtiss Robin, introduced in 1928, was a high-wing monoplane with a 90 hp V8 OX-5 8-cylinder engine built by the Curtiss-Robertson Airplane Manufacturing Company. It was later fitted with the more powerful Challenger engine, which developed between 170 and 185 hp. Other engines fitted to the airframe include: Model B (90 hp Curtiss OX-5 engine), Model C-1 (185 hp Curtiss Challenger engine), and Model J-1 (165 hp Wright J-6 Whirlwind 5 engine). Modern day Robin restorations have been fitted with Continental R-670 (220hp) and Lycoming R-680 (225hp) engines.

Several Curtiss Robins were used for record setting flights. In 1929 a Curtiss Robin named “The St. Louis Robin” remained airborne for 420 hours (over 17 days). In 1930 another Robin named “Greater St. Louis” was used to extend that record to 647 hours (over 26 days). In 1935 a Robin named “Ole Miss” broke that record by staying airborne for 653 hours (over 27 days).

The Mid America Flight Museum’s Robin is a movie star. It was featured in the 2010 movie “Pearl” about a young Chickasaw Indian women’s story of learning to fly and barnstorming in her Curtiss Robin.