Curtiss R3C-2 ‘3’ [A-6979] by Alan Wilson
Via Flickr:
c/n 26-33
Built 1925 with the US military serial A-6979
The Curtiss R3C was designed as a racing aircraft for the military. Three were built and they were allocated the US Navy serials A-6978, A-6979 and A-7054, although A-6979 was actually operated by the US Army. All three were built as R3C-1 landplanes but were later converted to R3C-2 seaplanes.
This is the only survivor of the three and
On 12th October 1925 this aeroplane, at that time an R3C-1 landplane with the race number ‘43’, won the 1925 Pulitzer Trophy race. It was piloted by Lt. Cyrus Bettis and achieving an average speed of 248.9mph. It was then quickly converted to an R3C-2 seaplane and on 25th October it was flown to victory in the 1925 Schneider Cup race, piloted by Lt. James H Doolittle at an average speed of 232.57mph and wearing the race number ‘3’. The following day Doolittle flew the R3C-2 over a straight course and set a world speed record of 245.7mph. It was flown again in the 1926 Schneider race and achieved second place with an average speed of 231.4mph, on this occasion flown by Lt.Christian F.Schilt with the race number ‘6’.
After becoming part of the National collection she was loaned to the USAF museum for many years, but has now returned to the Smithsonian where she is seen on display as part of the ‘Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight’ exhibition (Gallery 208).
National Air and Space Museum, Washington D.C.
14th March 2018
(Source: https://airmanisr.tumblr.com/)