http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncDkkBevYAM
It was a really nice flight. The Curtiss Museum restoration shop did a great job on the airplane, and the century old engine ran perfectly.
The Model E was the world's first flying boat. Variants of this airplane represent the first deployed USMC aircraft, the first aircraft launched from a ship by catapult, and the first US heavier-than-air aircraft to see military action.
The period photo was taken in the same location as the test flight. Exciting times on Keuka Lake in 1912.
FAQ: What is the instrument attached to the cowling?
This was an attempt to add a modern airspeed indicator to the Model E. The indicator did not work for this flight. A different indicator proved successful on a later flight.
You may notice looks to the left, from the helmet camera footage. These were glances at the original airspeed indicator, mounted halfway out the wing. This consisted of a “paddle” attached to a large dial marked 3,4,5,6. When the wind pushed on the paddle; the dial would indicate the corresponding speed(X 10).
You can see this indicator, on the left wing, in the still taken from behind the airplane.
Come and see us at the Curtiss museum in Hammondsport, NY. http://www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org/
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncDkkBevYAM[/youtube]
