Wed, May 21, 2003
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.
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