Huge Historic Donation

Curtiss-Wright recently announced that it has donated its complete inventory of aeronautical engine blueprints to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and Wright State University.

This unprecedented collection of more than 1,300 reels of microfilm and 30 large cabinets of paper drawings document the conceptualization, design, manufacture and overhaul of Curtiss-Wright aeronautical engines from 1916 to 1960. According to museum curators, the collection is more than likely the most complete technical record of its kind in existence.

Innovative designs include:  the 610 horsepower V-1400 racing engine that powered Jimmy Doolittle's Schneider Trophy-winning Curtiss R3C-2; the 225 horsepower J-5 Whirlwind that carried Lindbergh across the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis; and the 2,200 horsepower R-3350 turbosupercharged radials of the Boeing B-29 Enola Gay. All three aircraft are in the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum collection.

The company is also serving as a Pavilion sponsor for North Carolina's First Flight Centennial Foundation, which is building a semi-permanent structure near the scene of the historic first flight to house exhibits and special programs about the Wright brothers and their contributions to
aviation. The Pavilion is being developed by the foundation in partnership with the Wright Brothers National Memorial and the National Park Service.

With an aviation pedigree that stretches from the historic Wright Flyer to the unmanned Global Hawk used in the liberation of Iraq, today the diversified company is continuing that tradition of innovation in a variety of industries. "We're extremely proud of our founders' contributions to innovation and aviation, and we're pleased to be able to share their stories of tenacity and invention with the world," said Martin Benante, Chairman and CEO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation.

FMI: www.curtisswright.com/centennial.asp