Hammondsport, New York
On our way to Geneva, NY we stopped in to the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum. Curtiss was one of aviation’s early pioneers, and this little museum is well worth stopping for.
Curtiss JN-4 “Jenny”
The 1917 Curtiss “Jenny” is a beautiful plane. Often called the “Model T Ford” of the air, the “Jenny” had a major contribution to early aviation.
A P40 Warhawk undergoing restoration
In the back room is a P40 Warhawk undergoing a major restoration. This particular P40, was involved in a mid-air collision in 1945. It crashed into a Florida swamp, and sat there until 1986, when the plane was taken out piece by piece. The museum is the 4th owner of the plane, having purchased it in 2011. Restoration is expected to be completed in 2-3 years.
There are several classic, early motorcycles in the museum, including a 1907 Curtiss. The 1907 was powered by a 40HP, air cooled, V8, and was capable 140 mph.
The Curtiss Triad was the first U.S Navy aircraft. It was could take off or land on water or land.
The Collier Trophy, presented to Curtiss in 1911
The 1914 Curtiss America Flying boat has a 72′ wingspan on the upper wing, and a 46′ lower wing span. It is powered by two Curtiss OXX6 engines, which are hand crank started. The massive float plane’s restoration in the museum shop was completed in September 2007. The plane was taken out for a test flight later that month.
A 3/4 scale P40E Warhawk and a WWII era Ford jeep.
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