Curtiss Robin

The Robin, built by the Curtiss-Robertson Airplane Manufacturing Company, first appeared in 1928. Many engine variants were employed ranging from 90 to 185 HP. The most notable were the Wright Whirlwind radials which proved ideal for the endurance records set in this type aircraft during the 1920s and 30s. In 1929, Dale Jackson and Forest O’Brine flew continuously for 17 days, 12 hours, 17 minutes. In 1935, Fred and Algene Key set a new record over Meridian, Mississippi, flying for 27-days (total flight time of 653 hours and 34 minutes). In both cases, these endurance flyers were continuously supplied air-to-air by a separate crew flying a Robin.

This Robin was recovered from a barn in Remsen, NY in 1996 after years of storage. The late Doug Walbridge of Pompey, NY completely restored it to flying condition and was able to take its previous owner for a ride. Aerodrome pilot Brian Coughlin helped Doug move the Robin from its long-term storage and Doug willed the Robin to Brian. Brian has generously allowed Aerodrome pilots to use the aircraft in the shows since 2015. 

Its large size, high-wing configuration and tandem seating arrangement with dual controls made it an ideal candidate to prepare Aerodrome pilot Ken Cassens for his flights in the Spirit of St. Louis reproduction. Forward visibility from the rear seat was blocked off to prevent forward visibility recreating the view he would have (or not have!) from the cockpit of the Spirit. Clay Hammond occupied the front seat as a safety pilot to make any necessary corrections while Ken became accustomed to flying with very limited visibility into and out of the Aerodrome’s tricky runway. The Robin was used as a safety chase plane for the Spirit’s initial flight and subsequent flights.

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