THE PRE-LINDBERGH ERA OF AMERICAN AVIATION
A fresco mural by artist and aviator Aline Rhonie.
This site is the product of the Cradle of Aviation Museum’s efforts to document this one-of-a-kind fresco mural, which was originally painted on the wall of Hangar F at Roosevelt Field between 1935 and 1938. In our “About” tab, you will find information on the artist, Aline Rhonie, and the extensive processes she underwent to create, save, and restore this mural. Below, you will find entries of the over 580 people, places, and planes that are depicted on the mural.
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"Not Included" Aerial Photography Aircraft Aircraft Designers & Manufacturers Aviators Bellanca Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company Locations Lost "Barnstorming" Portraits Moisant Sikorsky Aircraft Surviving "Barnstorming" Portraits The "Below" Group ("Barnstorming" Section) The "Below" Group ("There's Money in It" Section) The Baldwin Group The English Group The First Yale and Harvard Navy Units The French Group The Independents Group The Lower Section The Medical Section The School Section The Wright Group Unidentified Women Aviators
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The Goldbug Hotel
Originally called the McLaughlin Hotel, the Goldbug Hotel was named for Glenn Curtiss’ plane, and served as the meeting place…
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Glenn Curtiss’ Truck Arriving with His Plane in Crates
Glenn Curtiss’ truck is depicted here in the mural arriving in 1908 with Curtiss’ plane in crates, ready to be…
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Mrs. McLaughlin and Children
Mrs. McLaughlin was the wife of Peter McLaughlin (#8), who owned the Goldbug Hotel (#1): an early hub for aviators…
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Wm. Fehr’s Helicopter
Listed as “Wm. Fehr’s Helicopter” by Aline Rhonie, this aircraft has not been identified.
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The Walden No. 3
In 1909, the Walden III became the first successful American-built monoplane to fly, and was constructed and flown by Dr.…
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Glenn Curtiss’ Tent Outside the Goldbug Hotel
Glenn Curtiss had a “hangar” (or rather, a tent) across the street from the McLaughlin Hotel (#1), which was later…
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The Farman Voisin
Some of Aline Rhonie’s information differs from present-day curator and historian accounts; she mostly worked from photographs, some of which…
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Peter McLaughlin
Peter “Pete” McLaughlin was the owner of the McLaughlin Hotel, which was later renamed “The Goldbug Hotel” after the plane…
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Dr. William Greene
Aline Rhonie has actually depicted Dr. William Greene on this mural twice (see #60). Dr. William Greene is rendered in…
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Joseph “Joe” Burt
Joseph “Joe” Burt is depicted here in the mural taking Dr. William Greene’s (#9) picture. Burt was a professional photographer…
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The Grandstands at Belmont Park
In 1910, Belmont Racetrack hosted the Belmont Aviation Meet, a historic nine-day international air show. This tradition of showing of…
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The Geary Circular Triplane
The Geary Circular Triplane was an experimental circular flying machine based on the work of Marquis d’Ecquevilly, who built an…
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Alberto Santos-Dumont’s “Demoiselle”
The Demoiselle was a lightweight monoplane constructed by the sportsman and inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont. It is sometimes considered the very…
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Hangars at Nassau Boulevard
The Nassau Boulevard Airfield was erected in 1910 to combat the shrinking airspace in Mineola at the time. Its impressive…
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Clifford O. Hadley’s Plane
This biplane was owned by Clifford O. Hadley (#92). It was used to race against automobiles and the railroad along…
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James Vernon Martin’s Plane
James Vernon Martin was an aviator, exhibition pilot, and inventor most known for founding the Martin Aeroplane Factory. He filed…
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Cars in the Vanderbilt Cup Race
The Vanderbilt Cup Race was founded by William Kissam Vanderbilt II in 1904. It is considered the first major trophy…
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Hubert Latham’s “Antoinette”
The Antoinette IV was a monoplane used by Hubert Latham to make the very first attempt to fly an airplane…
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The America II
The America II was a balloon used by Alan Ramsay Hawley (#43) and Augustus Post (#38) to set a distance…
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Frank Boland’s Tailless
At the end of 1909, Wilbur R. Kimball bought the biplane built by Dr. William Greene (#9, “Early Birds No.…