This Historic Flight That Challenged The Limitations Of Aviation New York To Paris, 20-21 May 1927
In 1919, hotel owner Raymond Orteig, offered a $25,000 reward to the first aviator or aviators to fly from New York City to Paris, or vice-versa. He had been inspired by a speech given by flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker, discussing the friendship between America and France, at a dinner for the Aero Club of America.
The race was on and various attempts were made by different aviation teams, all of whom failed to complete the race. Funded by bankers in St Louis Missouri, Charles Lindbergh decided to attempt the transatlantic flight solo, to avoid inevitable fighting with a co-pilot, and forewent equipment that added weight to his plane, such as radios and a parachute. His success spurred on other pilots, with many aviation records broken during 1927.
PREPARING THE FUEL
Up bright and early for the biggest adventure of his life, Charles Lindbergh arrived at his hangar at Curtiss Field to watch his plane’s gas tank being pumped with fuel. He also listened out for the weather reports to determine whether it would be safe to conduct the flight. The reports all indicated fine, clear weather with very little wind.
TOWING THE PLANE
This story is from the Issue 69 edition of All About History.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 69 edition of All About History.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Greatest Battles - BATTLE OF SHIROYAMA
KAGOSHIMA, JAPAN, 1-24 SEPTEMBER 1877
WOMEN IN COMPUTING
From Ada Lovelace to the codebreakers of WWII, John Croucher discusses the role of women in computing
"IT'S IMPORTANT THAT BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE OWN OUR OWN HISTORY"
Blindness and blind people have usually been framed in history as inspirational or tragic, but now Selina Mills wants to question that narrative
Bess of Hardwick ELIZABETH'S NEMESIS
Who was the ambitious Tudor noblewoman who proved to be a thorn in Gloriana’s side?
THE GOLDEN AGE OF SMUGGLING
Discover the age when the coasts of Britain were awash with illegal goods
What's in a name?
20 strangest royal nicknames from history (and where they came from)
GODS OF EGYPT
Discover how ancient Egyptians explained the mysteries of the world
OPPENHEIMER
Christopher Nolan's latest history-themed blockbuster is an artistic triumph
JAPAN HAD REMAINED ISOLATIONIST?
While Japan keeps its distance, overall supremacy of the region could be up for grabs
BATTLE OF SHIPKA PASS
SHIPKA, BULGARIA, JULY 1877-JANUARY 1878