Its engine problems obviously licked, the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum’s reproduction of the pioneer aircraft manufacturer’s massive flying boat America lifted off Keuka Lake in upstate New York on Saturday. It was the culmination of more than 16 years of effort by a volunteer group of builders who faithfully recreated an aircraft which was generations ahead of its time when Curtiss first created it in 1914. As depicted in Don Kaake’s video, the aircraft had a flawless flight before a big crowd gathered for the annual Sea Plane Homecoming in Hammondsport, NY.
Curtiss saw big potential in the use of water bodies for takeoff and recovery of aircraft and was the first to try it. America was a stunning technological achievement for its day, a twin engine flying boat with a wing span of more than 72 feet.
