Curtiss R3C-2

On Oct. 26, 1925, U.S. Army Lt. James H. Doolittle flew the Curtiss R3C-2 to victory in the Schneider Trophy Race with an average speed of 232 mph. The next day he flew the R3C-2 over a straight course at a world-record speed of 246 mph. In the Schneider Trophy Race of Nov. 13, 1926, this same airplane piloted by Lt. Christian F. Schilt, USMC, and piloted by an improved engine, won second place with an average speed of 231 mph.

First Flight: September 1925

Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Nov 2016
Photo 453