Curtiss Pusher Intermediate Wing

Hi,
New to this forum.
I am currently building a flying replica of the 1912 Martin-Curtiss 3 bay bomber known as The Sonora, which was flown by Didier Masson during the Mexican Revolution. I want to have it flying for the centennial of it's first ever bombing mission over Guaymas Bay (2012).
I am hoping to find other Curtiss pusher builders out there who can tell me about the spars on a Curtiss E type or D type pusher (very similar to the Martin). Specifically, what dimensions and contruction details the spars are(laminated, not laminated, etc).
I have a set of plans for the Curtiss A-1 Triad at the San Diego Air Museum, and it shows the leading edges to be 1" x 2" x 6'6" except in the center, where the leading edge is 1" x 5" x 6'6". Their replica was beefed up I think. Anyone with any info?
Ed

[retread]

Have you contacted the Curtiss Museum? They have a complete shop which is currently producing a replica of the "America". It was also a pusher. (Although it had two engines, counter-rotating OX-5's). If you haven't the address is:
The Curtiss Museum
8419 Rt. 54
Hammondsport, New York
14840
Ph. 607-5692160
fax:607-569-2040

The directors name is Trafford Doherty, who is a real gentleman.

[Hudson-Flier]

I am building a full scale flying replica of an early Curtiss Pusher called the Hudson Flier. It was a forerunner to the D, but looks almost exactly like an early D. This replica is being built at the Curtiss Museum.

The wing design that we are using is based on a 1911 Pusher wing, of which the Curtiss Museum has an original sample.

The front and rear spars are made of 4 layers of laminated ash strips, which are .3 inches thick, by 1 3/4" wide. Therefore, the spars end up being 1.2" thk., by 1 3/4" wide.

The end ribs of each wing section are made up of 6 layers of laminated spruce strips, which are .2" thk. by 3/4" wide. Again, the rib ends up being 1.2" thick. The intermediate wing ribs are also laminated spruce, and are made of 4 layers of .3" thick spruce, and are 1/2" wide.

The early Curtiss D pushers, along with the Hudson flier, had the ribs spaced every 15". The outer wing sections were 5'0" long, and the center wing section was 6'3" long.

The Curtiss Museum's Triad wings had similar dimensions in length, but don't know them off the top of my head. The wing spars, which are laminated, are 1.2" thick, by 2" wide. I am not aware of the leading edge spar of the center section being any wider than the other outer wing sections. Best bet to call the Museum and ask them. The ribs were also laminated spruce, 1.2" thk.

I usually go out to the Museum every other Saturday, so let me know if you would like any other specific info. checked.

If you would like a copy of my own Hudson Flier wing section drawing, please PM me with contact info.

Sound like the Hudson Flier had the same rib and spar dimensions as the A-1 Triad main planes. I do have one blueprint illustration showing that the original A-1 had ribs 1" in thickness and three laminations. I think to beef it up, the 1965 builders added one more layer of .3" spruce to each of the ribs and spars, making a thickness of 1.2".
How about wheels? Where are you getting yours from?

[Hudson-Flier]

The original 1910 Hudson Flier wings were different than the A1 Triad. They were closer in design to the 1909 Golden Flier and the 1909 Rheim's Racer. These wings had the ribs crossing over the top of the spar. The fabric was on the top of the wing only.

The Hudson Flier wings that we are building today, will have a 1911 D Pusher design, one that more closely resembles the Triads. This is a safer and more streamlined wing design. Plus, the wing is covered completely with fabric.

Not sure where the Museum is getting the wheels from. I can ask Art the next time I talk to him.

Feel free to call the Museum with any questions.
They certainly enjoy hearing from Curtiss "fans".