kirkham

See www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/34614207665/

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This is a photo of the Kirkham-Williams Racer (a.k.a. "Kirkham-Williams X"), powered by the 24-cylinder X-configuration Packard X-2775 (Packard 1A-2775). See: www.air-racing-history.com/aircraft/Kirkham-Williams%20Ra... A 1927 private seaplane venture by engine manufacturer Kirkham and then-Navy Lt. Al Williams, with support by Packard Motors, for the Schneider Trophy Race prize of $100,000. All-wood construction, powered by two 625hp Packard V-1500s mounted in a common crankcase to form an impressive four-bank, 24-cylinder, X-shape motor — hence the model designation. Originally on twin pontoons, money ran out during the testing stage and the plane never made it to the starting gate at Venice, Italy. It was converted to wheels, however, and later set an unofficial world speed record of 322.6 mph. See also: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packard_X-2775

"Test pilot Roland Rohlfs (1892 - 1974) was a distinguished American aviator. ... In 1919 he broke another world record when he flew to an altitude of 34,610 feet in a Curtiss L-3 triplane (at - 47 degrees Fahrenheit)." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Rohlfs

The flight took place on September 18, 1919, s. New-York tribune., September 19, 1919, Image 1, col. 7, "Rohlf s Planes 6 1/2 Miles Up; Breaks Record - American Aviator Climbs 34,610 Feet in Wasp Machine in 1 Hour and 53 Minutes for New Marks" chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1919-09-19/ed-...

Rohlfs in front of the Curtiss 18T-2 Wasp, US Navy BuNo A-3325 (the last three digits of the BuNo can be seen in the LoC's highest resolution version of this photo) that he would set the altitude record with over Roosevelt Field. See: www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/curtiss-18t-2-wasp/

B-59 and TVL1970: Thanks. We will add details for Rohlfs and the plane to our descriptions next time we update.

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Curtiss 18T-2