1931 Curtiss Wright B-14-R
N12311
Specifications
- Year: 1931
- Make: Curtiss Wright
- Model: Travel Air B-14-R
- Wingspan: 31 ft
- Length Overall: 23 ft 6.5 inches
- Number of Passengers: 2
- Engine Manufacturer: P&W R985
- Horsepower: 450hp
- Cruising Speed: 200 mph
Words of Recognition
What do Elizabeth Taylor, Anheuser Busch and air racing in the Golden Age of Aviation all have in common? A fellow named Casey Lambert of course. Lambert was the scion of a wealthy St. Louis family who turned seventeen, dropped out of school in 1926 and bought his first airplane. In his privileged and fascinating life, he dated movie stars, shot skeet with a President, served in the Navy in World War II, built a successful business and saw his local airport named after his family (Lambert Field in St. Louis).
Along the way he served as a test pilot for the Air National Guard, became related to August Busch by the marriage of his mother and raced airplanes. That’s where NR 12311 enters the story…
Read More
Why this Curtiss Wright?
There were literally thousands of airplane designs built during the “Golden Age” of aviation between the wars by companies large and small and many entrepreneurial tinkerers too. Built of wood, fabric and steel, most of these have disintegrated into the mist of history remembered only in the digital catacombs of the FAA or in blurry photos. But some companies, and their creations, did survive at least for a time. Those relics of the past can tell us stories of adventure, risk, hard work and even fun if we let them. The Curtiss Wright B-14-R certainly can.
Read More
