[Illustration: The machine in which Bleriot crossed the English Channel
in 1909. A modified Langley type.]
[Illustration: Rolland Garros and monoplane in which he flew across the
Mediterranean Sea in 1914.]
~THE WONDERFUL FLYING BOAT~
During the winter of 1910 and 1911 Mr. Curtiss, who had continued
independent experiments upon the disbandment of the Aerial Experiment
Association, succeeded in producing the first machine to safely leave
and return to the water. For the development and demonstration of
this type of flying machine he was awarded the Aero Club of America
Trophy, and when during 1912 he produced still another type of water
flying machine, the Curtiss Flying Boat, he was again awarded the Aero
Club Trophy and also voted a Langley Medal by the directors of the
Smithsonian Institution.
[Illustration: Different views of flying boat.]
Not until the development of the flying boat did the general public
begin to take a participative interest in aviation, but as soon as the
comparative safety of this type of machine became apparent the new
sport began to be taken up rapidly both in this country and in Europe.
The experiences of naval fliers and amateurs alike went to show that
water flying offered not only the fastest and most comfortable mode
of rapid travel, but also the safest, for during 1913 several hundred
thousand miles were flown by navy aviators and amateur enthusiasts in
Curtiss water flying machines without a single serious accident.
What aviation will mean to future generations,--even to this generation
in the course of a few years,--it would be foolhardy to try to guess.
Mr. Rodman Wanamaker already has agreed to furnish the financial
support for Mr. Curtiss’ attempt to build a machine to fly across the
Atlantic Ocean, from America to Europe. If the venture is successful it
is expected the crossing will be made in a fraction of the time taken
by the fastest Transatlantic liners. The discovery of new metals and
new manufacturing methods will certainly result in the development of
light motors that may be relied upon to run for days without stopping,
and automatically stable aeroplanes seem to be not far away. This will
result in overland flight as safe and sure as we now enjoy over water.
[Illustration: INSIDE OF A MODERN FLYING BOAT
Interior arrangement of modern flying boat, showing fuel tank and
instrument board.]
[Illustration: Six-passenger flying boat hull. This machine will fly
1,000 miles without stopping for fuel.]
[Illustration: FUN IN A FLYING BOAT