libertyl12a

Critics had claimed that the bomber would roll all the way to Dayton before it ever took off, but the aircraft became airborne after a 13-second, 960 ft (290 m) take off run. The flight lasted 28 minutes and reached an altitude of 2,000 ft (609 m). On 3 October 1924, the aircraft set a duration record of 1 hour 47 minutes for an aircraft "with 8,820 lbs (4,000 kgsuseful load". It also set a record in the same class for altitude with 4,470 ft (1,363 m). Although capable of carrying a 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) bomb load, it was soon discovered that the aircraft was seriously underpowered, and performance was disappointing. The overly complex structure of three wings and their accompanying struts and bracing wires created so much interference drag that the six engines could barely compensate. Fully loaded, the XNBL-1 had a range of only about 170 miles (270 km) with a top speed of 96 mph (155 km/h). In contrast, the "short-range" Martin NBS-1 had a range of about 450 miles (725 km) and could carry a 2,000 lb (900 kg) payload at the same speed. On a flight from Dayton, Ohio to a scheduled appearance at an air show in Washington, DC, the Barling Bomber failed to fly over the Appalachian Mountains and had to turn around.

Given the partially visible serial number, "A.S. 22-2??", and the configuration of the aircraft itself, this is an Aeromarine NBS-1 bomber, a license-built version of the Martin NBS-1. Only 25 bombers were constructed with 1922 fiscal year (the "22-" portion of the serial, the "base number," representing such) funds, and beginning with "2" as the secondary digit. All were of the NBS-1 type and manufactured by Aeromarine. See the Joe Baugher site: www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1922.html See also: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_NBS-1

This will be at Ponta Delgada. See www.criticalpast.com/video/65675068004_first-transatlanti... for a news clip of NC-3's arrival (no longer able to fly, but under her own steam as a boat).

Thanks swanq for the location. We will add it to the description.