Thomas-Morse S4C Scout

Historical information

The Thomas-Morse S-4 Scout was an American biplane advanced trainer, operated by the United States Army and the United States Navy. Dubbed the "Tommy" by pilots who flew it, the aircraft became the favorite single-seat training airplane produced in the U.S. during World War I. It had a long and varied career beginning with the S-4B, which first appeared in the summer of 1917.

It was supplemented in 1918 by the S-4C. Six prototypes were built, and the 80 hp (60 kW) Gnome B-9 was replaced by the "more reliable" 80 hp (60 kW) Le Rhône C-9 starting with the fifty-second production aircraft.

461 S-4Cs went to the Army and four S-4Cs with floats went to the Navy.