Wanamaker Flyer

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The Wanamaker Flyer (a.k.a. "Rodman Wanamaker Transatlantic Flyer", etc.) was a vessel designed by the Curtiss Company to fly across the Atlantic.

The flyer was publicized as a "flying-boat" capable of marine landing. It was to be flown from Newfoundland to Ireland by Lt. John Cyril Porte of the Royal Navy, with an American copilot from the United States Navy. Thus it was hoped to win the Daily Mail's £10,000 prize for crossing the Atlantic.[1]

Curtiss said:

We have given this machine great inherent stability by letting its wings sweep back at a dihedral angle of six degrees; that is, they are shaped like the head of a very much blunted arrow, the result being that the craft will require scarcely any attention from the navigators for the sake of balance. It will keep its own balance.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Cleveland Moffett, "Across the Atlantic by Air: The Greatest Scientific Adventure of One Hundred Years", McClure's Magazine, May 1914.