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Thomas-Morse S4C Scout

This aircraft is located in the Early Years Gallery

The Thomas-Morse Scout became the favorite single-seat training airplane for U.S. pilots during World War I. The Scout first appeared with an order for 100 S4Bs in the summer of 1917. The U.S. Army Air Service later purchased nearly 500 of a slightly modified version, the S4C. Dubbed the "Tommy" by its pilots, the plane had a long and varied career.

Tommies flew at practically every pursuit flying school in the United States during 1918. After the war ended, the Air Service sold them as surplus to civilian flying schools, sportsman pilots and ex-Army fliers. Some were still being used in the mid-1930s for WWI aviation movies filmed in Hollywood.

The Tommy on display was donated to the museum in March 1965 by Capt. R.W. Duff, Miami, Florida. The museum's restoration team spent about two years restoring this aircraft which is now on display in the Early Years Gallery as of Oct. 28, 2021. 

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: One .30-cal Marlin machine gun
Engine: LeRhone C-9 rotary of 80 hp
Maximum speed: 95 mph
Range: 250 miles
Ceiling: 16,000 ft.
Span: 26 ft. 6 in.
Length: 19 ft. 10 in.
Height: 8 ft. 1 in.
Weight: 1,330 lbs.

View a video on the restoration of this aircraft here!

Click here to return to the Early Years Gallery.

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Related Fact Sheets
LeRhone C-9 Engine
Thomas-Morse S4C Scout Model
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