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Silver colored doped fabric covered high wing single radial engine monoplane. The "Spirit of St. Louis" was designed by Donald Hall under the direct supervision of Charles Lindbergh. It is a highly modified version of a conventional Ryan M-2 strut-braced monoplane, powered by a reliable 223hp Wright J-5C engine. Because the fuel tanks were located ahead of the cockpit for safety in case of an accident, Lindbergh could not see directly ahead, except by using a periscope on the left side or by turning the airplane and looking out a side window. The two tubes beneath the fuselage are flare dispensers that were installed for Lindbergh's flights to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Created by
Eric Long
Date Created
07/22/2015
Source
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, NASM Original Photography, NASM Acc. 2012-0026.
Keywords
Aircraft; Aviation; Aviators; Competition Flight; People; Private; Records & Firsts
Rights and Restrictions
CC0
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For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.