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This collection contains photographs and blueprints of the Powers (W. C.) Helicopter (1862).
William C. Powers was an architectural engineer-mechanic in Mobile, AL during the Civil War. Between 1862 and 1863 he designed and built experimental plans and a model of a helicopter intended to provide the Confederate defenders of Mobile with a means for aerial bombing of the Federal blockading fleet. A family dispute apparently arose over the fear that the North would capture the ship and use it to destroy the South, and the plans were set aside until 1940.
NASM.XXXX.0562
Powers, William C.
1862-1863
Clara McDermott and William V. McDermott, Gift, 1940, XXXX-0562
0.11 Cubic feet (2 folders)
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection contains 7 black and white photographs of Powers (W. C.) Helicopter (1862) model and blueprints, as well as the original blueprints.
No arrangement.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
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PowPowers (W. C.) Helicopter (1862) Collection, NASM.XXXX.0562, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics, Military -- pre-1903
Aeronautics
Aeronautics -- pre-1903
Aeronautics, Military
Powers (W. C.) Helicopter (1862)
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Drawings
Photographs