Development and First Flight
In the early 1920s, Curtiss Corp. engineer Harvey Mummert began developing the small, light Mummert Cootie aircraft. On July 9, 1921, the aircraft, nicknamed Baby Vamp, took to the air for its first flight. It was a single-seat, single-strut biplane with a monocoque fuselage, powered by a 40 hp Lawrance N engine.
Operational History and Legacy
The Cootie was used for several years for demonstration flights at various airshows held at Curtiss Field. Renowned pilots such as Bert Acosta and Lloyd Bertaud flew it, showcasing its capabilities. Flight data from the Cootie was later used in the creation of the Curtiss Oriole aircraft.
Technical Specifications
| Modification | Cootie |
| Wingspan, m | 5.49 |
| Aircraft length, m | 3.66 |
| Wing area, m2 | 8.36 |
| Empty weight | 159 |
| Maximum takeoff weight | 268 |
| Fuel, l | 45 |
| Engine type | 1 Piston engine Lawrance N |
| Power, hp | 1 x 40 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 161 |
| Cruising speed, km/h | 140 |
| Crew | 1 |
Image gallery of the Cootie
