photo of the week

The Curtis Wright B-14

Mike Rinker’s Curtis Wright B-14 sits on the ramp at Grider Field in Pine Bluff, Arkansas — a sight to behold.

A Marvel of Aerial History

Sunday, July 24, 2016
Pine Buff, Arkansas

During a recent air show at Grider Field at the Pine Bluff Regional Airport, Mike Rinker of Union City, Tennessee, brought his pristine 1932 Curtis-Wright B-14 airplane to be a part of the festivities.  The aircraft crashed in 1942 and was repaired.  In 2003 it was completely restored and spent most of its life in a museum until Mike Rinker found it and had to have it.  As I observed it, there was not a speck of dirt, grime, or grease to be found anywhere on the plane.

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440 Horses with a Powerful Spirit

The B-14 is powered by the Wright Whirlwind R-975 engine that pumps out 440 horsepower.  An informed observer told me that one of these engines powered Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis on his legendary Trans-Atlantic flight.

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Built for Performance

For the time, it appears that the B-14 was built for performance with streamlined wheel covers and slim struts.

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At One with the Machine

There is not a lot of creature comfort in the B-14 cockpit.  The instrumentation is sparse and the accommodations look a tad on the cramped side.  On the upside, the pilot probably feels like he is wearing the aircraft.

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Same Fit Different Side

The right side does not look more commodious than the left, but who is to argue with the completely operational 95-year-old plane.  Someone got something right somewhere.

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Brilliant, Beautiful

The brilliant, fabric-covered wings are things of beauty.

During the show, Mr. Rinker cranked the B-14 up and put it through its paces in the air.  He says it is an easy airplane to fly.  And it is certainly easy on the eyes.

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But wait, there’s more.
See the Bull Dog Flight,
a precision formation flying group,
do their amazing routines
at the air show along with
a daring aerobatic pilot in flight at
Weekly Grist for the Eyes and Mind.   You will enjoy what you see.

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