Object Catalog Record
Images
Additional Images [9]
Metadata
Title |
Northbird, Curtiss Mf-6-K Seagull |
Object # |
2001.2.39.1 |
Object Name |
Model, Airplane |
Date |
2001 |
Artist |
Richardson, Terry |
Description |
Model Airplane: Northbird, Curtiss MF-6-K Seagull 1:24 scale model of Roy Jones's Northbird, a Curtiss MF-6-K Seagull Northbird Wingspan: 49 feet 9 inches Length: 28 feet 10 inches Weight: 1860 lbs. empty; 2,900 lbs. gross Power: Hispano-Suiza Model I, 8 cyl., 180 HP. Speed: 90 mph Roy Jones, an Army Air Corps veteran from Seattle, purchased this plane from government surplus after World War One. He named it Northbird, and it became the first aircraft to be used for commercial flying in Alaska. Jones and his mechanic, Gerald Smith, landed on Tongass Narrows in front of Ketchikan on July 17, 1922, eleven days after leaving Seattle. (There had been several mechanical breakdowns and some bad weather en route.) Jones immediately went into business under the name, Northbird Aviation Company. He carried sightseers, salesmen, mining engineers, and government officials all over Southeast Alaska in his frail, open craft. In August, 1923, Jones crashed the Northbird on a takeoff from Heckman Lake, in the hills above Ketchikan. The pilot was unhurt, but the plane was a total loss. Model built by Terry Richardson Scale, 1:24 Museum Purchase KM 2001.2.39.1 |
Provenance |
Museum acquisition. |
Material |
Wood/Plastic/Paint |
Dimensions |
H-6.75 W-18.5 D-13 inches |
Dimension Details |
17.145 cm x 46.990 cm x 33.020 cm |
People |
Richardson, Terry Jones, Roy F. |
Search Terms |
Aerial Aircraft Airplane Artifact of the Month article Aviation Ketchikan, Alaska Model Northbird Transportation, Air |
Relation |
Show Related Records... |
Related Publications |
84.1.85.181 = image of the Northbird at Ratz Harbor 2001.2.39.1 = model of the Northbird |
Multimedia link |
Link to Artifact of the Month Virtual Exhibit record |
Credit line |
Ketchikan Museums, KM 2001.2.39.1 |