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Compass Used on the First Scheduled Air Mail Flight

On May 15, 1918, Lt. Howard P. Culver navigated between Philadelphia and Belmont Park, near New York City, using this liquid-filled compass installed in his Curtiss Jenny.

Gift of Mrs. A. Paul Culver

 Display Status

This object is on display in America by Air at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

America by Air
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type INSTRUMENTS-Navigational Physical Description Brass; 3in. diameter; liquid filled type; used on 1st air mail flight. Dimensions 3-D: 8 × 8 × 7.7cm, 0.5kg (3 1/8 × 3 1/8 × 3 1/16 in., 1 1/8lb.)
 Materials Metal, and glass
 Inventory Number A19680559000 Credit Line Gift of Mrs. A. Paul Culver Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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