On May 22, 1919, New York hotel owner Raymond Orteig offered $25,000 to the first aviator to cross the Atlantic from Paris to New York, or vice-versa - nonstop. It was an era of record-breaking attempts and speed, distance and endurance records were being shattered left and right. But no one could make the 3,300 mile non-stop trip due to the lack of a reliable aircraft engine. Seven years passed and a 24 year old Charles A. Lindbergh came forth. Through his own money and St. Louis businessmen's, Charles found a small firm by the name of Ryan Airline, Inc. of San Diego, California that was up to the task of builing a plane powered by a Wright Whirlwind engine. The plane was built and by late May of 1927, the Sprit of St. Louis lumbered off into the light drizzle and fog from Roosevelt Field and Charles flew off into the history books (33 hours, 30 minutes and 29.8 seconds later!).
 | This plastic model kit requires plastic cement and paint for assembly, and they are sold separately. |
