benjaminfmahoney

A photo of the Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis" at Curtiss Field (adjacent to Roosevelt Field) on Long Island, after the replacement of the original nose cone. Standing from left to right are, B.F. Mahoney, Harry F. Guggenheim, Lindbergh, and Charles Lawrance. Mahoney was the owner of Ryan Airlines, the builders of the "Spirit of St. Louis." Guggenheim, a wealthy buinessman and philanthropist from the North Shore of Long Island, had just met Lindbergh. After Lindbergh's triumphant return to the US, he and Guggenheim would assist the work of another aviation pioneer, Robert F. Goddard. Lawrance was an aeronautical engineer who was instrumental in the development of the air-cooled radial engine. His own company, the Lawrance Aero Engine Company, was purchased by Wright Aeronautical in 1923. In 1925, Lawrance would become the president of Wright Aeronautical and lead the development of the Wright J-5 Whirlwind that powered the "Spirit of St. Louis."

BF Mahoney had already purchased Ryan Aircraft. BF kept the name of the company as Ryan Aircraft leading to some confusion. see link: www.charleslindbergh.com/plane/mahoney.asp

"Charles A. Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis probably is the best known airplane in the world. The airplane's transatlantic flight brought fame to T. Claude Ryan, whose name is connected to the company that built it--Ryan Airlines, the original Ryan company. But, although the names "Ryan" and "Ryan Airlines" appear on the plane, history has overlooked the other name closely intertwined with the legend of "Lucky Lindy" and his Spirit--Benjamin Franklin Mahoney, owner of Ryan Airlines". www.charleslindbergh.com/plane/mahoney.asp

This is another photo of Charles A. Lindbergh and Ryan Airlines owner Benjamin Franklin Mahoney (aka B.F. Mahoney) next to the rudder of a Ryan M-1 aircraft, not the Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis. Ryan Airlines built the Ryan M-1, M-2, as well as the Ryan NYP, and later Ryan Brougham.

BF Mahoney had already purchased Ryan Aircraft and Ryan himself had little to do with the building of the Spirit of St Louis. BF had kept the name of the company as Ryan Aircraft leading to some confusion. see link: www.charleslindbergh.com/plane/mahoney.asp