In 1935, this Curtiss Robin established a world record for sustained flight, using air-to-air refueling. After two unsuccessful attempts the year before, Fred and Algene Key took Ole Miss up from Meridian, Mississippi on June 4 and did not touch the ground again until July 1, for a total time in the air of 653 hours and 34 minutes, or 27 days. During the flight, the Keys received fuel and supplies 432 times from another aircraft. Highlighted in this image is the engine of the Curtiss Robin J-1 Deluxe.
Created by
Eric Long
Date Created
08/02/2016
Source
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Keywords
Aircraft; Aviation; Competition Flight; People; Private; Records & Firsts
Rights and Restrictions
CC0
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.