Quote:
Originally Posted by Buckeye30
Hi George. Am I right in thinking the "F" boats numbered C-1 to 5 were the ones re-designated AB-1 to 5 on 25/3/14 ? ( "A" = Curtiss, "B" = flying boat).
If so C-2 / AB-2 made the first catapult launch from a ship ( BB USS North Carolina) on 5/11/15; pilot was Naval Aviator no.11 Lt.Cdr. Mustin.
Lake Keuka was Hammondsport NY. where C-2 flew under a Sperry gyro auto pilot.
Nick
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Not entirely
The C-1 was an E-boat, while the other four were F-boats.
The official US Navy's re-designation date was 14 March 1914 making C-1/C-5 AB-1/AB-5.
The AB-2 was destroyed 17 March 1915 during another catapult launch.
George
According to Casari the Sperry control "gadget" was taken out of the C-2 when it was delivered to the US Navy in October 1913 and was shipped to Annapolis where it flew for the first time on 2 Nov 1913.
He also says the C-2 was used from April 1914 to basically when it was w/o doing catapult tests in USA.
He makes no mentioning of any trials in France.
What was the involvement of the US Navy with these trials in France?
When did it move to France and when did it return?
Cheers
Stig