Object Details
Physical Description
On the James Gordon Bennett silver plaque is a relief depicting Icarus standing on top of a rock formation with a Wright Model A flying overhead. The text on the plaque consists of relief text reading "Coupe Internationale D'Aviation, James Gordon Bennett" and engraved text on the base reading "Betheny 28 Aoul 1909, Glenn H. Curtiss, 20 kils. 15 m. 50 3/5 des".
Summary
This 1909 Gordon Bennett plaque was presented to Glenn Curtiss for winning the first international air race held on the Betheny plain in Reims, France. Curtiss completed the 20 kilometer circuit 15 minutes, 50 3/5 seconds at an average speed of 47.65 mph (73.6k/h) in a 50hp Curtiss bi-plane.
Credit Line
Donated by the National Aeronautic Association
Date
1909
Inventory Number
A19640679000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
AWARDS-Trophies
Materials
Overall: Silver
Dimensions
3-D: 22 × 1 × 39cm (8 11/16 × 3/8 × 15 3/8 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Exhibition
Early Flight
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19640679000