Curtiss Jenny wheels

[Tomasz]

Dear forumites,

can you describe how Curtiss Jenny wheels looked like? Were they symmetric or eccentric? Were the spokes radial or tangent to the hub? How many spokes were there?

Is there any document describing the dimensions of the Jenny wheels? I mean basic dimensions, i.e. wheel diameter and tyre thickness.

TIA

Tomasz

[baldeagle]

Jennys used 26"x4" tires on 18" clincher rims. They were symmetrical, and I believe used 40 spokes. I think most were radially spoked, though some may have been cross-spoked.

[timjnf]

Hey Baldeagle,
There is a thread under "Models" that should have been posted under "Aircraft" that I think you'll know the answer to... or at least some insight...

The Rhinebeck Jenny is an H model and has 4 ailerons (2 top wing; 2 bottom wing)

Is this common for H models, or was the Rhinebeck Jenny modified?

Thanks,
Tim

[Tomasz]

Dear Baldeagle,

thank you very much for the info. It concurs with John Nieto's drawings kindly described by Alan Toelle. However the outer diameter of a rim was probably one inch bigger. According to John Nieto the dimensions were as follows:

diameter (with tire): 26"
rim diameter: 19"
tire thickness: 4"
hub inner diameter: 1.5"
hub depth: 6"

In fact 18" rim would be a little to small for a 4" thick tire.

As you have noted, the there were both wheels used simultaneously - with radial spokes and crossed spokes. The link provided by Sanjeev Hivre confirmed fully what you had stated. Both wheels can be seen at the photos taken by Ernest Thomas and Mark Miller. See tem at:
http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/USA/JN4/index.html

Thank you again!

Tomasz

[baldeagle]

In an "18 inch wheel" the dimension is measured to where the bead seats on the rim, not to the outside edge of the rim, that's where the 1 inch discrepancy comes from. So the 26x4 tire goes on an 18 inch wheel, 26" OD minus 4" twice.

[Tomasz]

Baldeagle,

now I understand! I misinterpreted meaning of the rim diameter. Thanks again!

Tomasz