The JN-4 (JN-4D) was powered by a single Curtiss OX-5 series 8-cylinder Vee-type inline piston engine developing 90 horsepower. This supplied the mount with a top speed of 75 miles per hour and a service ceiling of 6,500. Endurance measured in at 2 hours and 15 minutes of flight time while dimensions included a wingspan of 43 feet, 8 inches and a length of 9 feet, 10 inches.
The JN-4 was responsible for the training of nearly every 9 in 10 American airmen during its tenure, such was its importance and lasting legacy. The JN-4 offered up many-a-pilot's first taste of flight and thusly this proved no more important than during World War 1 after America's entry in 1917. In addition to its use in training American airmen, the JN-4 served the Canadians and British equally well. More advanced training included use of machine gun and bomb armament but this variant was few in number compared to the non-armed Jennys being built. Some served as air ambulances which broadened the tactical value of the JN-4 considerably. All told, the Jenny was the most important American biplane of World War 1 despite the fighter types available, these being largely foreign in their origination.
The JN-4 was produced in a few notable variants beginning with the basic "JN-4" which were followed by the 781 "JN-4A" examples manufactured with an increase-area tailplane. The "JN-4B" brought also utilized a larger tailplane and was powered by the Curtiss OX-2 series engine; 85 of this type were produced for both the United States Army and Navy. The "JN-4C" was produced in two experimental model forms and never saw serial production. The "JN-4 (Canadian)" was produced in 1,260 examples under license by Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd for the RFC. It was largely based on the preceding JN-3 model with a lightened structure, revised lower wing assembly as well as other Canadian-inspired refinements. The "JN-4D" was an improved Jenny with the control stick feature of the Canadian JN-4 types while being closely associated with the earlier JN-4A mark. Some 2,765 examples of this mark were produced. One JN-4D-2 prototype was completed with a revised engine mounting. The "JN-4H" was an advanced trainer version which was powered by a Wright inline engine of 150 horsepower to which 929 examples were delivered. Several sub-marks of this primary mark then appeared as the "JN-4HT" (general trainer), "JN-4HB" (bomber trainer), "JN-4HG" (gunnery trainer) and "JN-4HM" (communications platform). The "JN-5H" was a single-example mark that led to the JN-6. The "JN-6" was an improved JN-5 of which 1,035 were produced for both the US Army and Navy. The "JN-6H" marked an improved JN-6 form while the mark was also branched into dedicated trainers from bombing (JN-6BH), general training (JN-6HG-1), gunnery training (JN-6HG-2),observer training (JN-6HO) and fighting training (JN-6HP). Over time, the "JNS" designation came to be used for several hundred war-time Jennys being brought up to 1920s standards. By this time, engine output power was nearly two times that of the original, resulting in improved performance capabilities and reliability.
Easy to fly and available in the thousands, the JN-4 survived her war time experiences to see extended use in private hands. Scores were sold to private operators who saw to it that the type would stand the test of time. Its use went beyond that of the well-known war-time participants for the aircraft was also purchased by Argentina and Cuba. She also served as America's first mailplane to which a commemorative USPS stamp was issued resulting the famously misprinted (and highly rare and popular) "Inverted Jenny".
The competing "Standard J" biplane trainer attempted to steal the reigns of the JN-4 series as America's primary trainer and stunt plane. While being produced in over 1,600 examples herself, the aircraft never did quite reach the levels of success that the JN-4 did during her service life. The Standard J saw production from 1916 to 1918.
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