What Was The First Airplane Flight Across The Atlantic ?

[veritassemper]

It seems a fairly simple question. However, most people get it wrong. See if you are correct BEFORE using the link.<br /><br />http://www.telegram.com/article/20070930/COLUMN21/709300520/1020<br /><br />v s <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

I used to know the answer to this one, but I can't remember. I do remember it was a seaplane, so technically, they didn't actually land on the opposite continent.<br /><br />Mr Lindbergh's flight was, of course, the first <i>non-stop</i> flight. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />*reads the article*<br /><br />Ah yes, and I'd forgotten about the nonstop flight to Ireland that predated Lindbergh's flight to Paris. So Lindbergh was the first to reach the European mainland. It's a good article; that trip must've been harrowing, as evidenced by the fact that only one of the four that set out actually made it all the way. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[PistolPete]

He was also the first person to do it solo as well, IIRC. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><em>So, again we are defeated. This victory belongs to the farmers, not us.</em></p><p><strong>-Kambei Shimada from the movie Seven Samurai</strong></p> </div>

 

[veritassemper]

<b><font color="blue">PISTOLPETE/CALLIARCALE</font></b><br /><br />I was taught as a schoolboy that Lindburgh was the first person to do it. I always argued that point until some time ago I found out what was said in the article. To be completely honest I too had forgotten all the facts. I could say Lindbergh was not the first to fly across the Atlantic ocean but the rest was hazy.<br /><br />Interesting facts and I am sure that there will be a number here who are probably the same as me.<br /><br />v s<br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[bdewoody]

I knew the NC-4 was the first plane to cross the Atlantic but had forgotten the name of the pilot. I have seen the plane at the Naval Air Museum and was amazed to see how fragile it looks.<br /><br />I hope sometime to go to D.C. and see the Spirit of St. Louis.<br /><br />It's a good thing that the current demands for absolute safety were not in place at that time or we might never have perfected flight. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <em><font size="2">Bob DeWoody</font></em> </div>

 

[PistolPete]

Seeing them in real life, it's a wonder how those flying box kites of wood and fabric like the Wright Flyer and the Spirit of Saint Louis could actually do all that they did. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><em>So, again we are defeated. This victory belongs to the farmers, not us.</em></p><p><strong>-Kambei Shimada from the movie Seven Samurai</strong></p> </div>

 

[davf]

Great thread vs! The NC-4 is located at the Naval Air Museum in Pensacola... and it is HUGE. I was very impressed with how large it was. If we could post pictures, I'd post one. A couple years ago a Vimy replica came through town and I went down to see it. Another aircraft that was larger than I expected. They were on their way to replicate Alcock and Brown's flight.

 

[veritassemper]

<b><font color="orange">BDEWOODY</font></b><br /><br />If you ever manage to get to go back to the Naval Air Museum, an image or two would be much appreciated.<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> Also, if you do visit Washington D.C., again images would be most welcome.<br /><br />I see from the S & A forum that images are soon to be available including those posted previously. Hopefully the upload of images will be back soon.<br /><br />v s<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[veritassemper]

<b><font color="orange">DAVF</font></b><br /><br />I would love to see your NC-4 image. By the way, according to the S & A forum, image posting will be back soon. Thanks for your comment.<br /><br />v s<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

Alock and Brown were the first non-stop Atlantic crossing.<br /><br />The Vimy was used on several pioneering flights. Not only the first non-stop Atlantic crossing, but the first flight from Britain to Australia. Alock and Brown's plane is preserved at the Science Museum in London. The Smith brother's in a special display at Adelaide airport. I have seen both. <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

Not mentioned in that article is the fact that in July 1919 the first return flight across the Atlantic was made by the airship R34.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[davf]

Cool! I hadn't known that.<br /><br />Speaking of Glen Curtis, I made it to Baddeck, Nova Scotia a couple of weeks ago. For those who may not know, Glen Curtis was in a Canadian/American group of early aviation pioneers including Alexander Graham Bell and they used to fly their early machines at the Bell homestead in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. Checked off another pilgrimage from the list.

 

[JonClarke]

Glen Curtiss had a long-standing interest in crossing the Atlantic. He and the like minded Cyril Porte worked on trans-atlantic flying boats before WWI. The war interrupted their plans but Curtis and Felixstowe (UK-built Curtis designs with a range of improvements introduced by Porte) flying boats saw extensive service and by 1919 were thoroughly tested. Porte lived just long enough to see the first Atlantic crossing, dying of TB in October 1919. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[vulture2]

The first person to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west was Beryl Markham, also an experienced African bush pilot and excellent writer, see "West with the Night"

 

[JonClarke]

When did she do that?<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[veritassemper]

<b><font color="purple">JONCLARKE</font></b><br /><br />Here you go:-<br /><br />http://www.karenblixen.com/gale.html<br /><br />I don't believe I never knew. I'm starting to lose it I'm afraid.<img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /><br /><br />v s<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

What an extraordinary character!<br /><br />So the first east-west north Atlantic crossing by a heavier than air aircraft was in 1934, the first solo crossing in 1936. <br /><br />The first east-west crossing was the airship R34 and from 1928 you could buy a ticket across the South Atlantic.<br /><br />Jon<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[davf]

Yikes! Well, either way, I suppose the consolation would be that at least it WAS on the actual aircraft even if it didn't make the trip. <br /><br />Buffalo has such a strong aviation heritage that has all but disappeared now (along with pretty well anything else that was good about Buffalo). I'd love to see an 'Urban Explorers' episode on it. <br /><br />I think you mentioned a while back that you have been to the Curtiss museum in Hammondsport, right? That is definitely worth a trip... a labour of love for those who run it. Very enjoyable!