Thomas Morris Scout

Can someone tell me about the Thomas Morse Scout? I met a WWI pilot who claimed to have flown them during and efter the war. Were these planes used during the war?

Thanks,

Kirk Goolsby

[Billy_Bishop]

This is from Aircraft of World War I by Kenneth Munson:

Like the Standard E-1, the Thomas-Morse S-4 was designed originally as a low-powered single seat fighter powered by the 100 h.p. Gnome rotary engine, which was being built under license in the U.S.A. In 1917, however, the US Army adopted a policy of selecting its fighters from among proven foreign designs, but decided to place the S-4, among others, into production as an unarmed single-seat advanced trainer. First production model was the S-4B, 100 of which were delivered from November 1917 with the Gnome engine. THey were followed from May 1918 by 50 S-4C's, with modified ailerons and controls, but after the 50th S-4C the somewhat troublesome Gnome was replaced by the more reliable, though less powerful, Le Rhone rotary. A further 447 Le Rhone powered S-4C's were built up to the Armistice, when outstanding orders for a further 553 were canceled.

Data applys to S-4C
Purpose: Advanced Trainer
Engine: One 80 h.p. Le Rhone rotary
Span: 26 ft. 6 in.
Max Speed: 95 m.p.h. at sea level

That's all I have on it, I hope it's enough, or maybe someone else has more.

VBR,

Al Lowe

For the most detailed "Tommy" site I know of - go to ==>The 1917 Thomas Morse S4C "Scout"

Master model builder Jim Landon decribes his site as:
"A photo collection and story of a restored 1917 Thomas Morse S4C Scout. High quality closeups as well as overall views of the real plane. This was the subject for a model I built."

I noticed that unfortunately Jim's model pages are missing - I will email him and inquire. He was recently building a Salmson 2A2 for the musuem at Lowry AFB when I last spoke with him. He may have combined his model pages together and will post his URL if I can get it.

VBR
Ro§bud

Refer to the following url:
www.aviation-history.com/thomas/scout.htm

There are several other good sites on Alta Vista under Thomas Morse Scout.

Kirk,

I took some pictures of the Old Rhinebeck Thomas Morse Scout;

http://members.nbci.com/_XMCM/artattack/rhinebeck99.htm

They are more detail shots than anything else. There is also a Standard E1 and Spad VII at a Museum in Rochmond, Virginia, but I havent got down there yet.



cam

There is one flying "Tommy" that I know of. A former movie plane. Now restored and flying, owned by Rodger Freeman. I have seen it flying.
Cher'o,
Lt. Dwight Rudder, RFC

To the best of my knowlegde, Thomas-Morse had factories in Ithaca, New York, and before that Bath, New York (near Hammondsport, or the Finger Lakes area). (Our "neck of the woods.") Anyone know differently?