|
This airplane is a Ryan B-1 Brougham NR1766 (S/N 52). It was flown to Tucson twice by pilot Reginald L. Robbins. Please direct your browser to his link to learn more about this airplane and the reason it is a Golden Age classic, and about its landings at Tucson. Robbins, with co-pilot James Kelly, set a short-lived refueled endurance record with NR1766 May 19-May 26, 1929.
Below, a wonderful, high-resolution image of NR1766 from site contributor and guest editor (click the GUEST EDITOR button, above) Mike Gerow. This same profile image, with less resolution, may also be viewed at the Russell T. Gerow Photograph Collection.
Ryan B-1 Brougham NR1766, "Fort Worth", Probably Long Beach, CA, ca. June, 1929
(Source: Gerow)
 |
Notice the navigation light on the top of the wingtip, and the fuel filler pipe behind the right wing leading into the fuselage tank. The text on the side of the fuselage reads:
ROBBINS & KELLY
with this ship
HOLD THE WORLD'S
REFUELING ENDURANCE
RECORD
172 - 32 - 01 |
Note also the welded steel tube gantry around and under the engine. During the endurance record flight, co-pilot Kelly climbed out the window and serviced the engine while perched on the gantry, secured by only a safety belt (no parachute). See Adams in the REFERENCES for the harrowing details. Notice, too, the lineman guiding another aircraft at right. A port profile, below, is courtesy of the San Diego Aerospace Museum Flickr Stream (SDAM).
NR1766, Date & Location Unknown (Source: SDAM)
 |
The text on the side of the fuselage is easier to read.
---o0o---
THIS PAGE UPLOADED: 10/30/08 REVISED: 12/04/14
|
