1 Images

This 1909 Gordon Bennett plaque was presented to Glenn Curtiss for winning the first international air race held on the Betheny plain in Reims, France. Curtiss completed the 20 kilometer circuit 15 minutes, 50 3/5 seconds at an average speed of 47.65 mph (73.6k/h) in a 50hp Curtiss bi-plane.

Display Status

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

Early Flight

Object Details

Date

1909

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

AWARDS-Trophies

Physical Description

On the James Gordon Bennett silver plaque is a relief depicting Icarus standing on top of a rock formation with a Wright Model A flying overhead. The text on the plaque consists of relief text reading "Coupe Internationale D'Aviation, James Gordon Bennett" and engraved text on the base reading "Betheny 28 Aoul 1909, Glenn H. Curtiss, 20 kils. 15 m. 50 3/5 des".

Dimensions

3-D: 22 × 1 × 39cm (8 11/16 × 3/8 × 15 3/8 in.)

Materials

Overall: Silver

Inventory Number

A19640679000

Credit Line

Donated by the National Aeronautic Association

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.

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