A little bit of aviation history

[Patrick]

right here in this area of NYS

A little strip of land in Rochester NY was just dedicated as a historical site.

The first US Army Aerial Film school of 1918 was dedicated.

Maybe it'll just be me, but, I think this is neat as heck.

They even used special locally made Kodak Aerial cameras and film from Kodak in Rochester NY.

I'd like to think that may have been part of the reason for my grandfather to build his first airplane during the winter of 1918-19.  I know another was his friendship with Glenn Curtiss.

[Oss]

those men were pioneers

nobody really knew aerodynamic theory back then 

wing walkers, barnstormers  self taught people

[RP#62]

That is cool.  Have you been to the Glen Curtis museum over in Hammondsport?

-RP

[Patrick]

That is cool.  Have you been to the Glen Curtis museum over in Hammondsport?

-RP

Yes.

I helped move the stuff from the old/original museum [ ex high school] in town to the new location. I also helped move the C46 from the National Warplane museum which now is mounted in front of the building.
I used to spend time there especially in the restoration shop, but, haven't been there in awhile.
They do nice work there reproducing airworthy copies of his old aircraft.
Its a great museum. It goes from his start with bicycles, motorbikes, engine building,  including his world speed record bike [replica], to motorhomes. trailers as well as aircraft. The man was quite inventive.


The actual speed record bike [ v8 powered] is in the museum in DC.

Spending time in the area is nice. Beautiful area. The town of Hammondsport is a pretty little finger lakes town.  There are many wineries and breweries in the area.



I guess I should also mention that in addition to the land speed record of 136 mph in 1907 he also set the land speed record in 1903 at 64 mph on his own built bike with one of his V-twin engines.
There seems to be an ongoing dispute over the first production of American made V-twin engines between Curtiss and Indian. Its been proven to me that Curtiss was first in 1902.

Can you tell I'm a big Curtiss fan ?

[RP#62]

Very cool.  When we lived in the 'burgh, we rode our Valks up there once to spend the day.  Great place.  If I remember correctly, they built P-40 tail sections there.

-RP

[Patrick]

I wish I had known when you came way up north to visit the area.

The museum is a new building [ ex-winery]. The original factory was across the valley. It employed several thousand folks [ a lot for the area] but everything was pretty much moved to Buffalo during the depression. I think I remember some P40 tails and other parts were made in Hammendsport.