Dates

Event

Constructed as a NC-4.
A joint design between the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Corporation and the Naval Aircraft Factory, designated NC-4 for Navy/Curtiss. Built by Curtiss at Garden City, NY, and assembled at NAS Rockaway Beach, Long Island, NY. (Baugher). The hull built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Corporation in Bristol, Rhode Island. (Wikipedia)

1919

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo A-2294 and operated with these markings: 4.

May 1919

Redesignated NC-TA for the transatlantic crossing. Designed for direct delivery to France, later redesignated P2N-1.

8 May 1919

A crew of United States Navy and US Coast Guard aviators flew the NC-4 from New York State to Lisbon, Portugal, over the course of 19 days. This included time for stops for numerous repairs and crewmens rest, with stops along the way in Massachusetts, Nova Scotia (on the mainland), Newfoundland, and twice in the Azores Islands. Then its flight from the Azores to Lisbon completed the first transatlantic flight between North America and Europe, and two more flights from Lisbon to northwestern Spain to Plymouth, England, completed the first flight between North America and Great Britain.

31 May 1919

Arrived Plymouth, England.

June 1919

Transported by ship.
The NC-4 was dismantled in Plymouth and then loaded onto USSAaAroostook, the base ship for the Curtiss NCs transatlantic flight for the return journey to the United States. Aroostook arrived in New York Harbor on 7/2/19.

July 1919

The NC-4 was put on public display in Central Park in New York City and in several other locations, including Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.

1920

The hull of the NC-4 was exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution.

1927

To Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
Hull only, the remaining components were retained in Navy storage.

From 12 August 1946 to 1976

In the inventory of National Air Museum, Washington, DC.

1961

Remaining components transferred to Smithsonian Air Museum, Washington, DC.

From 1961 to 1969

Restored.
Markings Applied: 4
Fully restored for the 50th anniversary of the first transatlantic crossing. With the assistance of three Navy technicians, the restoration of the NC-4 was completed.

1966

To Smithsonian-National Air and Space Museum, Washington, DC.
The Smithsonian changed their name.
View the Location Dossier

8 May 1969

Displayed on the National Mall for the 50th anniversary celebration.

After 9 May 1969

After the brief exhibition, the NC-4 was disassembled and placed in storage.

1974

Loaned to National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Pensacola, FL.
View the Location Dossier

1991

Photographer: Wayne Gomes
Notes: Photographed at the National Naval Museum in Pensacola, FL.

11 September 2003

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

8 October 2012

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

8 October 2012

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

8 October 2012

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

8 October 2012

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield