Wright-Bellanca WB-2
Encyclopedia
The Wright-Bellanca WB-2, named Columbia, Miss Columbia, and later Maple Leaf, was the second in a series of aircraft designed by Giuseppe Mario Bellanca
, initially for Wright Aeronautical
then later Columbia Aircraft Corp
.
In 1925, Clarence Duncan Chamberlin
was friends with, and worked as chief test pilot for, the aircraft designer Giuseppe Mario Bellanca
. A flight instructor in WWI, Clarence was an early customer of Bellanca designs, purchasing the only Bellanca CE built when he was working for the Maryland Pressed Steel Company
. Through Clarence, Bellanca secured a position as a consultant for the Wright Aeronautical
company to produce an 5-6 passenger aircraft to demonstrate their new Wright Whirlwind J-4 Engine
. Bellanca built an all wood aircraft, the WB-1 in 1926 which crashed at Curtiss Field in an attempt on the world non-refueled endurance record. The WB-2 follow-on aircraft, was made of fabric covered steel tubing was already in development to test the updated Wright Whirlwind J-5
. The aircraft had some features intended for long-distance overseas flights built in. The landing gear was able to be dropped, to prevent flipping in a water landing. Once on the water, the large gas tanks could provide floatation, and a saw was carried to drop the dead engine weight if needed.
flown by Lieut C.C. Champion where it won both efficiency records.
Wright Aeronautical chose to continue to develop the Whirlwind engine, but discontinue aircraft operations to avoid competition in profitable engine sales with rival aircraft manufacturers. Bellanca left Wright Aeronautical, with the rights to the WB-2, and the WB-2 prototype purchased for $15,500 and formed a new interest, Columbia Aircraft Company
, with the investor Charles Levine. Levine became a millionaire at the young age of twenty eight by reselling surplus armaments to the United States government. When partnering with Bellanca, he had plans to put the WB-2 in production. The plans never came through, and the aircraft would not see production until Bellanca manufactured an updated version with his own company later in 1928.
Shortly after the record flight, on April 24, 1927 the WB-2 was christened in prohibition era Ginger Ale the "Columbia" by Levine's 8 year old daughter. Later that day, Chamberlin safely landed the plane with two children on board with a broken landing gear.
The second meeting in New York was attended by Levine, Bellanca, and Chamberlin. With check in hand, Levine added a stipulation that Columbia Aircraft would select the crew on the flight, which Lindbergh objected to. Reminding Lindbergh that the WB-2 was the only plane that could make the flight at the time, they made him leave and call back the next day to reconsider. The terms did not change, and Lindbergh returned to St. Louis without an airplane. Lindbergh then approached Travel Air Manufacturing Company
, asking for a Travel Air 5000
modified with a Wright Whirlwind motor and was declined. Lindbergh also inquired what it would cost to buy a Fokker
for the attempt, he was given a quote of $100,000 for a custom trimotor, and was told that Fokker would not build a single engine craft for a transatlantic flight. Lindbergh instead purchased a single place aircraft from Ryan aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis
for $6000.
On December 30, 1927 Bellanca left Columbia aircraft, to form AviaBellanca Aircraft, taking with him again the rights to the WB-2 series of aircraft.
In 1929 the Columbia placed second in a race from New York to California
piloted by Commander John Iseman, Leuit. J Farnum.
The Maple Leaf was destroyed January 25, 1934 in a hangar fire at the Bellanca factory in Newcastle, Delaware.
Wright-Bellanca WB-2
Giuseppe Mario Bellanca
Giuseppe Mario Bellanca was an Italian-American airplane designer and builder who created the first enclosed cabin monoplane in the United States in 1922. This aircraft is now on display at the National Air & Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.-Biography:He was born on March 19, 1886 in...
, initially for Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical was an aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturer located in New Jersey.-History:This American company evolved from the 1909-1916 Wright Company, which merged with the Glenn L. Martin Company in 1916 to form the Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation. Glenn Martin resigned from...
then later Columbia Aircraft Corp
Columbia Aircraft Corp
The Columbia Aircraft Corp was a United States aircraft manufacturer, which was active between 1927 and 1947.-Formation and operations:Columbia Aircraft was founded in December 1927 by Charles A. Levine as chairman and the aircraft designer Giuseppe Mario Bellanca as president. The initial name...
.
Development
Clarence Duncan Chamberlin
Clarence Duncan Chamberlin was the second man to pilot a fixed-wing aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean, from New York to the European mainland, while carrying the first transatlantic passenger.-Early life:...
was friends with, and worked as chief test pilot for, the aircraft designer Giuseppe Mario Bellanca
Giuseppe Mario Bellanca
Giuseppe Mario Bellanca was an Italian-American airplane designer and builder who created the first enclosed cabin monoplane in the United States in 1922. This aircraft is now on display at the National Air & Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.-Biography:He was born on March 19, 1886 in...
. A flight instructor in WWI, Clarence was an early customer of Bellanca designs, purchasing the only Bellanca CE built when he was working for the Maryland Pressed Steel Company
Maryland Pressed Steel Company
Maryland Pressed Steel Company was an American aircraft manufacturer of the Bellanca CD, and CE aircraft.The New York & Hagerstown Metal Stamping Co manufactured arms for the British and was reorganized into the Maryland Pressed Steel Company in 1914. In 1916, the Poole Engineering and Machine Co...
. Through Clarence, Bellanca secured a position as a consultant for the Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical
Wright Aeronautical was an aircraft and aircraft engine manufacturer located in New Jersey.-History:This American company evolved from the 1909-1916 Wright Company, which merged with the Glenn L. Martin Company in 1916 to form the Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation. Glenn Martin resigned from...
company to produce an 5-6 passenger aircraft to demonstrate their new Wright Whirlwind J-4 Engine
Wright R-790
The Wright R-790 Whirlwind was a series of nine-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by Wright Aeronautical Corporation, all of which had a displacement of about 790 in³ and around 200 hp...
. Bellanca built an all wood aircraft, the WB-1 in 1926 which crashed at Curtiss Field in an attempt on the world non-refueled endurance record. The WB-2 follow-on aircraft, was made of fabric covered steel tubing was already in development to test the updated Wright Whirlwind J-5
Wright R-790
The Wright R-790 Whirlwind was a series of nine-cylinder air-cooled radial aircraft engines built by Wright Aeronautical Corporation, all of which had a displacement of about 790 in³ and around 200 hp...
. The aircraft had some features intended for long-distance overseas flights built in. The landing gear was able to be dropped, to prevent flipping in a water landing. Once on the water, the large gas tanks could provide floatation, and a saw was carried to drop the dead engine weight if needed.
Operational history
The WB-2 Columbia was introduced at the 1926 National Air RacesNational Air Races
The National Air Races were a series of pylon and cross-country races that took place in the United States from 1920 to 1949. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew rapidly during this period; the National Air Races were both a proving ground and...
flown by Lieut C.C. Champion where it won both efficiency records.
Wright Aeronautical chose to continue to develop the Whirlwind engine, but discontinue aircraft operations to avoid competition in profitable engine sales with rival aircraft manufacturers. Bellanca left Wright Aeronautical, with the rights to the WB-2, and the WB-2 prototype purchased for $15,500 and formed a new interest, Columbia Aircraft Company
Columbia Aircraft Corp
The Columbia Aircraft Corp was a United States aircraft manufacturer, which was active between 1927 and 1947.-Formation and operations:Columbia Aircraft was founded in December 1927 by Charles A. Levine as chairman and the aircraft designer Giuseppe Mario Bellanca as president. The initial name...
, with the investor Charles Levine. Levine became a millionaire at the young age of twenty eight by reselling surplus armaments to the United States government. When partnering with Bellanca, he had plans to put the WB-2 in production. The plans never came through, and the aircraft would not see production until Bellanca manufactured an updated version with his own company later in 1928.
- Endurance record Bellanca and Levine felt that the Columbia could beat the current world record for endurance held by Maurice DrouhinFlight endurance recordThe flight endurance record is the longest amount of time an aircraft of a particular category spent in flight without landing. It can be a solo event, or multiple people can take turns piloting the aircraft, as long as all pilots remain in the aircraft. The limit initially was the amount of fuel...
and Landry JulesFlight endurance recordThe flight endurance record is the longest amount of time an aircraft of a particular category spent in flight without landing. It can be a solo event, or multiple people can take turns piloting the aircraft, as long as all pilots remain in the aircraft. The limit initially was the amount of fuel...
in France. Leigh wade, a pilot of the 1924 Round the world flight in a Douglas World CruiserDouglas World Cruiser-References:NotesBibliography* Francillon, René J. McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920: Volume I. London: Putnam, 1979. ISBN 0-87021-428-4.* Swanborough, F.G. and Peter M. Bowers. United States Military Aircraft since 1909. London: Putnam, 1963....
was hired for publicity but soon quit in disagreements with Levine. Bert Acosta was brought on as his replacement. On April 12, 1927 Clarence ChamberlinClarence Duncan ChamberlinClarence Duncan Chamberlin was the second man to pilot a fixed-wing aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean, from New York to the European mainland, while carrying the first transatlantic passenger.-Early life:...
and Bert Acosta set off on their endurance attempt. The aircraft was predicted to crash by Curtiss engineers, but took off in only 1200 feet of runway. They stayed aloft over Roosevelt field in New York City for 51 hours, 11 minutes, and 25 seconds. The estimated distance flown was 4,100 miles, which was 500 more than was needed for the Ortieg Prize attempt between New York, New York and Paris, France.
Shortly after the record flight, on April 24, 1927 the WB-2 was christened in prohibition era Ginger Ale the "Columbia" by Levine's 8 year old daughter. Later that day, Chamberlin safely landed the plane with two children on board with a broken landing gear.
- Missed opportunity with Lindbergh In late 1926, an enterprising Charles LindberghCharles LindberghCharles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
had convinced Earl Thompson, and Major Albert Bond LambertAlbert Bond LambertAlbert Bond Lambert was an American golfer who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics and in the 1904 Summer Olympics.He was also a prominent St. Louis aviator and benefactor of aviation.-Early life:...
to back him on an attempt to win the $25,000 Orteig PrizeOrteig PrizeThe Orteig Prize was a $25,000 reward offered on May 19, 1919, by New York hotel owner Raymond Orteig to the first allied aviator to fly non-stop from New York City to Paris or vice-versa. On offer for five years, it attracted no competitors...
for a non-stop transatlantic flight. He specifically wanted a single pilot, and a single engine to reduce weight and chances of failure. The ideal plane was the Wright-Bellanca WB-2. Lindbergh set out by train to New York in a new suit to look professional for a face-to-face meeting with Columbia Aircraft to buy the only WB-2. In the meeting, Levine said the aircraft was worth $25,000, but would discount it to $15,000 due to the free publicity that would be made from the flight, well above Lindbergh's $2000 budget. Lindbergh returned to St. Louis, and had a check signed to him personally for $15,000 and a request to name the WB-2 "The Spirit of St. Louis". Lindbergh said he would have the plane back in St. Louis in a week.
The second meeting in New York was attended by Levine, Bellanca, and Chamberlin. With check in hand, Levine added a stipulation that Columbia Aircraft would select the crew on the flight, which Lindbergh objected to. Reminding Lindbergh that the WB-2 was the only plane that could make the flight at the time, they made him leave and call back the next day to reconsider. The terms did not change, and Lindbergh returned to St. Louis without an airplane. Lindbergh then approached Travel Air Manufacturing Company
Travel Air
The Travel Air Manufacturing Company was an aircraft manufacturer established in Wichita, Kansas in the United States in January 1925 by Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech, and Lloyd Stearman.-Company history:...
, asking for a Travel Air 5000
Travel Air 5000
-External links:*...
modified with a Wright Whirlwind motor and was declined. Lindbergh also inquired what it would cost to buy a Fokker
Fokker
Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker. The company operated under several different names, starting out in 1912 in Schwerin, Germany, moving to the Netherlands in 1919....
for the attempt, he was given a quote of $100,000 for a custom trimotor, and was told that Fokker would not build a single engine craft for a transatlantic flight. Lindbergh instead purchased a single place aircraft from Ryan aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis
Spirit of St. Louis
The Spirit of St. Louis is the custom-built, single engine, single-seat monoplane that was flown solo by Charles Lindbergh on May 20–21, 1927, on the first non-stop flight from New York to Paris for which Lindbergh won the $25,000 Orteig Prize.Lindbergh took off in the Spirit from Roosevelt...
for $6000.
- Orteig Prize attempt Prior to the crossing, Levine planned on using Clarence Chamberlin or Bert AcostaBert AcostaBertrand Blanchard Acosta was a record setting aviator. With Clarence D. Chamberlin they set an endurance record of 51 hours, 11 minutes, and 25 seconds in the air. He later flew in the Spanish Civil War in the Yankee Squadron. He was known as the Bad Boy of the Air...
as pilot with Lloyd W. BertaudLloyd W. BertaudLloyd W. Bertaud was an American aviator. Bertaud was selected to be the copilot in the WB-2 Columbia attempting the transatlantic crossing for the Orteig Prize in 1927. Aircraft owner Charles Levine wanted to fly in his place, and a injunction by Bertaud against Levine prevented the flight...
as copilot. The pilots were promised a settlement to their wives if they crashed, and the prize money if they completed the flight, but Levine refused to sign the document before the flight. Bertaud first objected, then later offered to purchase the Columbia for himself. Levine bumped Bertaud from the copilot position, prompting an injunction preventing any Ortieg record flight. Lindbergh arrived on May 5, 1927. While Chamberlin waited for the injunction to be lifted, His other competition, Admiral Byrd'sRichard Evelyn ByrdRear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, Jr., USN was a naval officer who specialized in feats of exploration. He was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics...
team was repairing his Fokker C-2 Trimotor, the "AmericaAmerica (aircraft)The America was a trimotor Fokker C-2 monoplane that was flown in 1927 by Richard E. Byrd, Bernt Balchen, George Otto Noville, and Bert Acosta on their transatlantic flight. For eight years after the first non-stop heavier than air Atlantic crossing by a British Vickers Vimy in 1919, there were no...
" after a practice run crash. On May 20–21, 1927, Lindbergh left Roosevelt Field and crossing the Atlantic, while leaving the 'Columbia' and 'Atlantic' behind at the adjacent Curtiss Field.
- First transatlantic flight of the Columbia The Brooklyn chamber of commerce also offered $15,000 for a tranatlantic challenge. Chamberlin was given the piloting job, and picked Bernt BalchenBernt BalchenBernt Balchen, , a winner of the Distinguished Flying Cross was a Norwegian native, and later U.S. citizen, known as a pioneer polar aviator, navigator, aircraft mechanical engineer and military leader. His service in the U.S...
as his co-pilot. Balchen was unavailable, so Chamberlin's wife was offered the seat for the attempt, only to be displaced by the flight's backer, Levine. On June 4, 1927 The Columbia took off on its transatlantic flight from America to Berlin, Germany with Charles Levine, as the first passenger to cross the Atlantic in an airplane, and making the Columbia the second plane to fly non-stop across the Atlantic. In an oft-repeated situation, Levine told his wife he was just going up for a test flight. His lawyer notified her by a letter of his intentions after they took off and kept going. At one point in the flight, Levine was at the controls flying at 20,000 feet without oxygenHypoxia (medical)Hypoxia, or hypoxiation, is a pathological condition in which the body as a whole or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply. Variations in arterial oxygen concentrations can be part of the normal physiology, for example, during strenuous physical exercise...
. He entered a spin, and descended to 4,000 feet before recovering. The Columbia did not reach Berlin, but landed 100 miles short in a field at Eisleben, Germany. The flight covered 3,905 miles (6,285 km) and 42 hours and 45 minutes. The trip was 315 miles (507 km) and 9 hours and 6 minutes longer than Lindergh's transatlantic crossing
- The Queen of Diamonds While Levine in Europe, Mabel BollMabel BollMabel Boll , known as the "Queen of Diamonds", was an American socialite involved in the early days of record-setting flights in the 1920s. She garnered nicknames from the press, including "Broadway’s most beautiful blonde" and "$250,000-a-day bride".- Early life :Mabel Boll was short, dark-eyed,...
"the Queen of Diamonds" attempted to get Levine to fly her to America in the Columbia, which was still in France after a record setting flight from New York. The inexperinced owner of the aircraft, Levine had plans to fly it back to America with a French pilot, Maurice Drouhin. After disagreements with Droughin and Lawyers left the plane guarded and grounded. Levine took off to England claiming he was just testing the engine. Boll followed Levine to England by boat, talking Levine into letting her be a passenger. Just before the flight, Levine's new pilot Capt. Hinchcliffe, publicly refused to let Boll fly along, and instead flew to Rome, Italy dropping a present to Benito MussoliniBenito MussoliniBenito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
's son. Boll was invited to try a East-west flight from America, and she set out for New York by boat in January 1928.
On December 30, 1927 Bellanca left Columbia aircraft, to form AviaBellanca Aircraft, taking with him again the rights to the WB-2 series of aircraft.
- Non-stop flight to Cuba On March 5, 1928 Wilmer StultzWilmer StultzWilmer Stultz was born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania. He was a pioneering pilot. On March 5, 1928, Stultz, Oliver Colin LeBoutillier and Mabel Boll on a improvised seat, made the first non-stop flight in the Columbia between New York City and Havana, Cuba. Stultz was the pilot on June 18, 1928...
, O.Le Boutilier, and Mabel BollMabel BollMabel Boll , known as the "Queen of Diamonds", was an American socialite involved in the early days of record-setting flights in the 1920s. She garnered nicknames from the press, including "Broadway’s most beautiful blonde" and "$250,000-a-day bride".- Early life :Mabel Boll was short, dark-eyed,...
on a improvised seat made the first non-stop flight in the Columbia between New York, New York and Havana, Cuba. Mabell was soon turned down again to fly the Atlantic in the Columbia by Levine. Undeterred, She publicly announced she had hired Stultz, and was going to make the attempt. Stultz abandoned the project, and Boll attempted to recruit Admiral Byrd's Fokker for the flight. She was passed over the opportunity by the much less flamboyant, and capable Amelia Earhart. Levine and Boll eventually partnered again, this time with competition.
- Another missed opportunity - first female across the Atlantic attempt On June 26, 1928 Mabel Boll was filmed leaving Roosevelt Field in the newly re-named "Miss Columbia". Mabel was later spotted in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland as a passenger in the Columbia, piloted by Captain Oliver C. Le BoutillierOliver Colin LeBoutillierCaptain Oliver Colin LeBoutillier was a World War I aviator who witnessed the death of Manfred von Richthofen...
and Arthur Argles. While Boll publicly announced aspiration to be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, Amelia EarhartAmelia EarhartAmelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
was also in Newfoundland at the same time, and the German Thea RascheThea RascheThea Rasche was Germany's first woman pilot.-References:...
. The newspapers was focused their attention on the aspirations of “the Diamond Queen of Broadway,” Preparations for the trip were done with full publicity. At the same time in relative secrecy, pilots, Wilmer StultzWilmer StultzWilmer Stultz was born in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania. He was a pioneering pilot. On March 5, 1928, Stultz, Oliver Colin LeBoutillier and Mabel Boll on a improvised seat, made the first non-stop flight in the Columbia between New York City and Havana, Cuba. Stultz was the pilot on June 18, 1928...
and Gordon, were believed by the press to be preparing Byrd’s Fokker “Friendship” for his planned trip to the South Pole. Stultz himself was planned to be the pilot of the Columbia, and defected to Byrds crew. On June 17 the “Friendship”Fokker F.VIIThe Fokker F.VII, also known as the Fokker Trimotor, was an airliner produced in the 1920s by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker, Fokker's American subsidiary Atlantic Aircraft Corporation, and other companies under licence....
took off from the bay at Trepassey, Newfoundland with Earhart on board, while the crew of the Columbia were grounded for 5 days due to the weather. Upon learning of successful flight by Earhart and crew, Bolls returned to America in the Columbia, donating $500 to the Newfoundland airstrip for development.
In 1929 the Columbia placed second in a race from New York to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
piloted by Commander John Iseman, Leuit. J Farnum.
- Bermuda Record On June 29, 1930 the Columbia performed the first non-stop flight from New York to BermudaBermudaBermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
and back. The flight dropped off mail, but there was not a suitable landing field on the island at the time. The flight was piloted by Erroll Boyd, Roger Q. WilliamsRoger Q. WilliamsRoger Quincy Williams was an American aviator, born in Brooklyn, New York.In July 1929 Williams, with Lewis Yancey, broke the over-water flying record by making a non-stop flight from Old Orchard Beach, Maine to Santander, Spain. The 3,400 mile flight took 31 hours and 30 minutes...
, and Harry P. Conner took 17 hours, 3 minutes. Williams relocated the Columbia to Montreal just two days before a hangar fire destroyed Columbia Airlines newest plane, the underperforming "Uncle Sam".
- Second transatlantic flight The Columbia was flown to Toronto, renamed "The Maple Leaf" after the song "The Maple Leaf ForeverThe Maple Leaf Forever"The Maple Leaf Forever" is a Canadian song written by Alexander Muir in 1867, the year of Canada's Confederation. He wrote the work after serving with The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in the Battle of Ridgeway against the Fenians in 1866....
". The plane was then demonstrated at the 1930 Canadian National ExhibitionCanadian National ExhibitionCanadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
. The aircraft had a early SperrySperry CorporationSperry Corporation was a major American equipment and electronics company whose existence spanned more than seven decades of the twentieth century...
Attitude indicatorAttitude indicatorAn attitude indicator , also known as gyro horizon or artificial horizon, is an instrument used in an aircraft to inform the pilot of the orientation of the aircraft relative to earth. It indicates pitch and bank or roll and is a primary instrument for flight in instrument meteorological conditions...
installed, taken out of Jimmy DoolittleJimmy DoolittleGeneral James Harold "Jimmy" Doolittle, USAF was an American aviation pioneer. Doolittle served as a brigadier general, major general and lieutenant general in the United States Army Air Forces during the Second World War...
's Lockheed VegaLockheed Vega|-See also:-References:NotesCitationsBibliography* Allen, Richard Sanders. Revolution in the Sky: Those Fabulous Lockheeds, The Pilots Who Flew Them. Brattleboro, Vermont: The Stephen Greene Press, 1964....
. Pilot Roger Q. Williams, held up the flight for three weeks with legal disputes with Levine over back pay. On October 9, 1930 the Maple Leaf performed the first transatlantic flight by a Canadian between CanadaHarbour Grace AirportHarbour Grace Airport , is west of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.On 20 May 1932 Amelia Earhart set off from Harbour Grace and, after a flight lasting 14 hours 56 minutes, landed in a pasture at Culmore, north of Derry, Northern Ireland to become the first woman to fly solo...
and London, England in 36 hours, 10 minutes. The aircraft was piloted by Erroll Boyd, and Harry P. Conner, who travelled with $18 in their pockets and a unpaid Toronto Hotel bill. Upon arrival they flew a tribute flight in honor of the R-101 crashR101R101 was one of a pair of British rigid airship completed in 1929 as part of a British government programme to develop civil airships capable of service on long-distance routes within the British Empire. It was designed and built by an Air Ministry-appointed team and was effectively in competition...
victims.
- New York to Haiti non-stop In 1933 the Maple Leaf performed the first non-stop flight from New York to HaitiHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
in 24 hours and 8 minutes. The pilots were Erroll Boyd, Robert G. Lyon, and a passenger, H.P. Davis. On June 7, 1933 the Maple Leaf left Port-Au-Prince, HaitiPort-au-PrincePort-au-Prince is the capital and largest city of the Caribbean nation of Haiti. The city's population was 704,776 as of the 2003 census, and was officially estimated to have reached 897,859 in 2009....
non-stop to Washington D.C. with a special issue stamp. The aircraft was piloted by Erroll Boyd, and Robert G. Lyon.
The Maple Leaf was destroyed January 25, 1934 in a hangar fire at the Bellanca factory in Newcastle, Delaware.
Artifacts
- A Bellanca CH-400Bellanca CH-400-See also:...
painted to resemble the WB-2 Columbia is on display at the Virginia Aviation MuseumVirginia Aviation MuseumThe Virginia Aviation Museum is an aviation museum in Richmond, Virginia, adjacent to Richmond International Airport . The museum houses a collection of some thirty four airframes, both owned and on-loan, ranging from reproductions of Wright Brothers kite gliders to the still state-of-the-art SR-71...
. - The Smithsonian National Air and Space MuseumNational Air and Space MuseumThe National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
has in its collection an embossed aluminum ashtray made from the metal of the fuel tanks or the Columbia after the fire. - A block of four stamps carried on the first transatlantic trip from Canada to England in the Columbia was valued at $20,000 in 1995.
Variants
Wright-Bellanca WB-1- The all-wood forerunner to the WB-2, Using a Wright Whirlwind J-4
Wright-Bellanca WB-2
- The record setting Columbia, (later Maple Leaf) developed from the WB-1