Application to try for the Orteig prize of $25,000 for a flight - New York to Paris.

Wing being installed on Spirit of St Louis at the Ryan factory in San Diego. The letter ’X’ in the picture is Lindbergh. ‘Y’ is Doug Corrigan. (His adventure is in another part of this website.)

Constructional Details

The view above shows the internal structure of the wing. The center section wing tank is in place; other wing tanks are

placed in the openings at wither side. The two views at the right show the engine mount and the instrument board arrangement. Fuel lines and valves are also shown.

Here we see, left to right, William H. Bowlus, factory manager; B. F. Mahoney, President; “Lindy”; Donald A. Hall, chief engineer and designer; A. J. Edwards, sales manager

Lindbergh landed at Curtiss Field, Long Island, New York, at 5:33, May 12, 1927. He flew from San Diego via St. Louis to New York in 21 hours, 40 minutes flying time – 2,500 miles with 3,600 more to go.

Lindbergh by the Spirit of St. Louis

Famous French flier wishes him “Bon Voyage”.

Renee Fonck had the misfortune to crash the Sikorsky built plane on his try for NY – Paris flight.

Farewell Visitors Gather About Him

His friend, Mahoney came from San Diego; Harry Guggenheim makes his acquaintance; Charles Lawrence of the Wright Engine Company.

It is 7:52 am of May 20,1927. Roosevelt Field is soft with dew and rain from a drizzly night. Lindbergh opens the throttle and “gives it the gun” and off he goes on the great adventure - into the unknown.

Mounting the Skies to Make History

The engine throttled to 1750 r.p.m. He set his course and soon reached Long Island Sound. Cape Cod through the southern half of Nova Scotia . . . at 10,000 ft. above the storm clouds . . . headed across the Atlantic.

A Great Moment in the World’s History

Top picture: Souvenir hunters in wild joy tear “Spirit of St. Louis”.

Bottom picture: Experts overhaul Lindbergh plane for his departure. He is now preparing to leave Paris to fly to Brussels and cross the channel to London.

Military guards stand guard to protect the Spirit of St. Louis from more souvenir hunters.

New York lines the streets with 4,500,000 people to greet Lindbergh on his return. One of the greatest ovations in history (June 13, 1927).

The check for $25,000 presented to Lindbergh by Raymond Orteig at the Hotel Brevoort.

END

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© 2008 The Long Island Early Fliers Club, P.O. Box 221, Bethpage, NY 11714-0221 • info@longislandearlyfliers.org