In 1911, Curtiss continued the evolution of the pusher design with the development of the D-II (the Golden Flyer was considered the Model D) and the D-III, to which a second set of elevators were added to the rear in place of the fixed horizontal stabilizer. The Curtiss D-III Headless Pusher resulted from an accident incurred by noted exhibition pilot, Lincoln Beachey. While flying in a competition with a standard Curtiss D-III, Beachey hit a fence upon landing and destroyed the front elevator. Rather than drop out, Beachey continued to fly without the front elevator control and found that the aircraft performed better than before. Created by Eric Long Date Created 10/07/2014 Source Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Keywords Aircraft; Aviation; Entrepreneurs; People; Pre-WWI; Private Rights and Restrictions CC0
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.