Lincoln Beachey Stunt Flying over San Francisco, California, circa 1915

Summary

Lincoln Beachey is remembered as America's first great stunt flyer. He perfected a series of aerobatic maneuvers -- including spins, dives, spirals, and loops -- and earned fame and fortune by staging heart-stopping exhibition flights for audiences across the country. Beachey died when the wings broke loose from his airplane during a stunt flight over San Francisco Bay in 1915.

Lincoln Beachey is remembered as America's first great stunt flyer. He perfected a series of aerobatic maneuvers -- including spins, dives, spirals, and loops -- and earned fame and fortune by staging heart-stopping exhibition flights for audiences across the country. Beachey died when the wings broke loose from his airplane during a stunt flight over San Francisco Bay in 1915.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 11.125 in

Width: 14 in

Inscriptions

caption: ONCE TOO OFTEN / Lincoln Beachy, late King of the Air, is shown in picture to the left; while his machine "Doing the Loop" is shown in the large picture. Everybody liked Lincoln Beachy and shudders to think that such real fellows take such chances with certain death. The accident happened at the California Fair and was caused by the breaking of the plane while doing his famous dip. He fell in shallow water of the bay and died entangled in the wreck of his machine.

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