AIRCRAFT >> OTHER AIRCRAFT >> Curtiss N-8
AIRCRAFT >> OTHER AIRCRAFT >> D-89
Catalog Number:
2010.005
Location:
PENTAGON
Description:
Shown are two Curtiss E & F type flying boats invented first by Glen Curtiss in 1912. The U.S. Army Signal Corp bought 3 of these new flying boats and stationed them at North Island in San Diego Bay. They claimed Number 34 made about 2,000 flight on and off saltwater, staying in the air a total of 100 hours with no repairs done or necessary. Similar boats were widely used by the US Navy and others in 1914 - 1918. They were the forerunners of all flying boats, including later Curtiss designed US Navy NC-4 flying boat that in 1919 was the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The Curtiss H series to H-12 were also the only US designed and built aircraft to see combat in World War I. They brought down German zeppelins and seaplanes on their submarine patrols in the North Sea. The British navy, stationed at Felixstowe, redesign of Curtiss boats gave rise to the era of Briton building flying boats. Also the first Tampa Bay passenger airline in 1914 used a Benoist type 14 flying boat similar to Curtiss designs.