The Curtiss Pusher reproduction, seen from below. A Curtiss Model E which was equipped as a floatplane was the Navy's first aircraft, purchased in June 1911. Another Model E was the first plane to be launched from a catapult. Many early airplanes placed the engines at the back of the craft, but in a crash the heavy engine tended to crush the pilot -- leading to the use of front-mounted engines.
For more information on the Michael Lemberger Collection visit https://aspace.lib.uiowa.edu/repositories/2/resources/3157
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The Curtiss Pusher reproduction, seen from below. A Curtiss Model E which was equipped as a floatplane was the Navy's first aircraft, purchased in June 1911. Another Model E was the first plane to be launched from a catapult. Many early airplanes placed the engines at the back of the craft, but in a crash the heavy engine tended to crush the pilot -- leading to the use of front-mounted engines. For more information on the Michael Lemberger Collection visit https://aspace.lib.uiowa.edu/repositories/2/resources/3157