Jimmy Doolittle with Curtiss Hawk 1
Original Period Photo 8x10, HangarSmithsonian-Cataloged ... Helmet, Goggles, HangarDESCRIPTIONThis is an original period 8x10 photograph of Jimmy Doolittle standing beside a Curtiss Hawk 1 biplane at the open doors of a hangar. He wears a leather helmet, goggles and white flight coveralls. The close, level view shows the details that make a good aircraft print: a two-blade metal propeller with a clamped hub, a radial engine encircled by a narrow ring cowl with the cylinders showing behind the propeller, big low-pressure tires, braced wings and a wire-braced tail. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum catalogs this same photograph under the title Curtiss Hawk 1;Doolittle, James Harold "Jimmy". [See Smithsonian Image NASM-SI-2002-2561 screenshot in images]Curtiss built the Hawk family of biplane fighters in the 1920s, and the name Hawk 1 was applied afterward to a number of the early export and civil versions. Doolittle was closely tied to the type. In April 1926 the Army gave him leave to demonstrate Curtiss aircraft in South America. In Chile he broke both ankles during a demonstration, then flew his Curtiss P-1 Hawk through aerobatics with both legs in casts. Curtiss went on to use him to demonstrate the Hawk across Europe, Asia and South America. One published history describes a Hawk 1, known as the Doolittle Hawk, that he flew and that was later sold to the air show pilot Jesse Bristow.Doolittle was already a national name in these years. He won the 1925 Schneider Trophy in a Curtiss R3C-2 floatplane, performed the first outside loop at Wright Field in 1927 in a Curtiss fighter, and resigned his Army commission on February 15, 1930 to join Shell Oil as head of its aviation department. A period photograph of Doolittle with a Curtiss Hawk, held in the Smithsonian's collection, is a strong piece for aviation history, Doolittle and Curtiss collectors.This print comes from a large collection of period aviation photographs assembled by an unidentified collector, and it has been carefully released from its album page. It is a period photograph, not a modern reproduction. The image was scanned at 600dpi, so please review every photo closely, as they show the actual item.Every effort is made toward fact checking and provenance, including background research through news and historical archives. If any listing is incorrect in any way and you're unsatisfied with the item, please connect with me and I'll make it right. Orders placed before Noon CDT ship same day via Ground Advantage with tracking, so you know exactly when it will arrive. Returns accepted on all items exceeding $25 in cost. Every shipment goes out in rigid, professional packaging, sealed and protected in acid-free protectors. Shipping is free and already built into the price, so the BIN price is exactly what you pay, no surprise shipping costs at checkout.CONDITIONOriginal period photographic print, approximately 8 x 10 inches, with a cream-toned border. The image shows strong contrast and a full tonal range, with deep blacks in the airplane and bright highlights in the wings, propeller and flight suit, and sharp detail in the propeller hub, struts, wires and wing fabric. A few tiny dust specks are visible in the image area, and the border shows light, even toning with slight handling wear. No tears, creases or emulsion loss are visible on the front.The reverse shows patches of adhesive and paper residue from album mounting. The residue is confined to the back and does not affect the image side. Please review all photos closely, as they are the best representation of actual condition.
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