Model of the month November 2023 Ryan NYP
Intercontinental with 1 man and 1 engine… Charles Lindbergh's Ryan NYP
From the original to the model
An independent part of the collections of the Hannover-Laatzen Aviation Museum are the more than 1,000 scale models, primarily of the international standards 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32.
Such true-to-the-original miniatures enable viewers of museum technology history to gain an “overview”, not just of the individual exhibit (sometimes even the only possibility of a real three-dimensional display if there is no longer a surviving original), but also of the development lines of aircraft construction through the possible sequencing and comparison . Sometimes they even fill in gaps in the presentation of the originals. The quality of their craftsmanship alone is a joy to behold.
Today, in our 'Model of the Month' series, we present to you the aircraft from the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris, carried out as the first single-engine transatlantic flight and also the first intercontinental solo flight, which took place in May 1927. The pilot was the young US postal pilot Charles Lindbergh, his plane the Ryan 'NYP'. An aircraft that was only built in one copy and for one flight: To make history...
The model: Rare in Europe...
In 1964 the British modeling company FROG released a 1/72 NYP kit; After their unfortunate bankruptcy, the kit was sold by the Russian company NOVO from 1977 onwards. A model made from this mold is in a display case in Hall 1 - diagonally opposite the true-to-original replica of the machine under the hall roof. After 2010, a Ryan kit was released by Robert Schneider RS Models from the Czech Republic. This is probably the finest replica of the original in this scale on the market currently.
Around 2000, the small Hildesheim-(Germany) based company Dahlmann reissued several former Faller aircraft models from the 1950s/60s, including the NYP. Partially revised, the kits, kept in the German architectural scale of 1/100, were also ideal for enlivening urban and railway dioramas in H0 - and a charming reminiscence of the great days of model building. We also show such a specimen here in the picture.
The original: Only existed once...
The 'NYP', developed in 1926/27 by Donald A. Hall at the Ryan Aeronautical Company from their postal aircraft types M-1 and M-2 and with the participation of the pilot and client Charles Lindbergh, was built in just one copy and fulfilled its task with flying colors. Today hangs in the entrance area of the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.
The single-seat, braced shoulder-wing aircraft in a mixed tubular steel frame construction with canvas covering and rigid landing gear had a length of 8.56 m, a wingspan of 14.03 m and a take-off weight of 2,330 kg, over half of which was fuel. Powered by a 9-cylinder Wright J-5C 'Whirlwind' radial engine with 223 hp, the aircraft reached around 220 km/h - and was intended to cover the route from New York to Paris non-stop.
money and mind
In 1919, the French-born and New York hotelier Raymond Orteig offered prize money of 25,000 US dollars for the first non-stop flight between Paris and New York. In 1926 he renewed this offer; technical progress now made such a project seem possible. Various pilots were willing to try, including 24-year-old Charles A. Lindbergh. As a postal pilot and flight engineer, he had two other requirements for such a challenge: carefreeness and a pioneering spirit. “Why shouldn’t I from N.Y. Fly to Paris – after all, I have four years of flying experience!” With this self-confidence, Lindbergh was actually able to convince various financiers in St. Louis of his real opportunity. Ultimately, $15,000 were available for the design and construction of an aircraft, preparation and equipment, and consequently the aircraft displayed this “enterprising spirit of St. Louis” on both sides of the bow: “Spirit of St. Louis.”
1 man, 1 engine
Transcontinental with 1 man and 1 engine… Charles Lindbergh's Ryan NYP 1 man, 1 engine However, the considerable sum would hardly have been enough for a multi-engine and multi-seat machine. But contrary to all competitors and general expert opinion, Lindbergh had opted for a single-engine, compact and lightweight design - and he wanted to attempt the flight alone. He had found a congenial partner in the Ryan Aeronautical Company - the small design workshop led by Frank Mahoney and chief builder Donald Hall was located in a former fish factory in San Diego, California, and was ready to turn its successful M-1 and M-2 mail planes into a record-breaking aircraft to build according to Lindbergh's ideas. Price: 6,000 dollars plus engine... The risk of seeing his reputation sink into the Atlantic along with the aircraft remained unpaid. Not only did it require a pilot who could stay awake and attentive for over thirty hours, but in addition to an engine that ran reliably for this time and around 6,000 kilometers, it also needed a steel tube and wooden construction that was as light as it was strong and was able to withstand stormy winds, ice and so on able to withstand the spray of an ocean. No other aircraft manufacturer in the USA was willing to take this risk.
On April 28, 1927, the all-silver Ryan “NYP” (for: New York-Paris) rolled out of the hangar. The elegant shape of the small machine had several special features. There was no windshield; the pilot only had a periscope and two side windows to see ahead. The oil and main fuel tanks were located directly behind the aerodynamically optimal engine with steel propeller in the nose, at the center of gravity of the aircraft. Only behind was the cockpit.
The aircraft was assigned the registration number N-X-211 by the US Aviation Authority - to this day, X stands for “experimental”, i.e. test object. Courage, ability, luck
On May 8th, two days before the planned departure from California to New York, Lindbergh's team received the news that the two Frenchmen Charles Nungesser and Francois Coli had started their attempt to cross the ocean from Paris. All efforts seemed to be in vain. But the two great aviation pioneers remained missing over the Atlantic. Thoughtfully but hastily, Lindbergh set off, set a speed record when flying over the USA and took off from Roosevelt Field/N.Y. on May 20, 1927 with the aircraft, which was less than a month old. to his historic flight.
After 33 1/2 hours in the pilot's seat and 5,810 kilometers across the Atlantic, he landed in Le Bourget, Paris, on May 21, 1927 at 10:22 p.m. local time. Enthusiastically received by tens of thousands (there was already radio!), “Lucky Lindy” had only one wish…to sleep.
Once again in original size. Even if it looks stylish and solidly constructed - who dares to fly around 6,000 km across the sea alone with it?
World air transport
Literally overnight, he had become a hero, a historical figure, one of the great aviation pioneers, a synonym for technical progress and world aviation.
What was and remains unique about his work was the interlocking of man and machine, character with technology - needless to say: and luck.
In recognition of his achievements, he was appointed airforce general in the USA and remained loyal to aviation until his death in 1974. His Ryan NYP is on display at the Smithonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington.
Were we able to arouse your curiosity? Then visit us in the Aviation Museum - over 40 original and faithful replicas of school, fighter, passenger and sport aircraft, helicopters and gliders, a large engine and turbine department, and around 1,000 scale models are waiting for you!
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