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The Curtiss JN series, popularly known as "Jenny," is one of America's most famous airplanes. Early versions of the Curtiss biplane were serving the U.S. Army before America's entry into World War I, flying in Mexico on the trail of Pancho Villa in 1916. The JN-4 version was an extremely popular primary trainer plane. Hundreds of American and other Allied pilots learned the skills they would need to dogfight in this ubiquitous training ship.
Unable to keep up with the demand for Jennys on their own, the Curtiss design was produced by six other manufacturers. Over 6,800 Curtiss JN-4s were built, of which 2,812 were the JN-4D model. 1,347 Jennys were produced under license in Canada. Britain, France, Spain and Australia operated hundreds of the aircraft. Over 500 Jennys served with the United States Navy as N-9s.
In the years after the Great War, hundreds of these aircraft, mostly JN-4Ds, were designated surplus -- some still in their unopened packing crates. The Jenny's second life began as American pilots of the 1920s used the readily available craft as "Barnstormers," flying wild stunts, selling airplane rides, appearing in movies, and generally exposing the public to the wonders of aviation. The Jenny was the first airplane many Americans ever saw in person and became so iconic that this period is sometimes called "The Jenny Era."
The Museum's Jenny was originally license-built as an Army plane at the Springfield Aircraft Company in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1917. It was a jumbled mass of battered parts and pieces in Warrenton, Virginia when Paul and Lucy Whittier of Friday Harbor, Washington purchased it in 1982. The Jenny was lovingly restored from original JN-4D plans and authentically rebuilt using the materials and methods of the era. Many of the metal parts are original, but much of the wood components had to be reconstructed in a 9,500 man-hours project. The Jenny was donated to The Museum of Flight in 1985. The authentic Curtiss OX-5 engine was donated by Arnold Cassidy in 1986.
The Curtiss JN series, popularly known as "Jenny," is one of America's most famous airplanes. Early versions of the Curtiss biplane were serving the U.S. Army before America's entry into World War I, flying in Mexico on the trail of Pancho Villa in 1916. The JN-4 version was an extremely popular primary trainer plane. Hundreds of American and other Allied pilots learned the skills they would need to dogfight in this ubiquitous training ship.
Unable to keep up with the demand for Jennys on their own, the Curtiss design was produced by six other manufacturers. Over 6,800 Curtiss JN-4s were built, of which 2,812 were the JN-4D model. 1,347 Jennys were produced under license in Canada. Britain, France, Spain and Australia operated hundreds of the aircraft. Over 500 Jennys served with the United States Navy as N-9s.
In the years after the Great War, hundreds of these aircraft, mostly JN-4Ds, were designated surplus -- some still in their unopened packing crates. The Jenny's second life began as American pilots of the 1920s used the readily available craft as "Barnstormers," flying wild stunts, selling airplane rides, appearing in movies, and generally exposing the public to the wonders of aviation. The Jenny was the first airplane many Americans ever saw in person and became so iconic that this period is sometimes called "The Jenny Era."
The Museum's Jenny was originally license-built as an Army plane at the Springfield Aircraft Company in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1917. It was a jumbled mass of battered parts and pieces in Warrenton, Virginia when Paul and Lucy Whittier of Friday Harbor, Washington purchased it in 1982. The Jenny was lovingly restored from original JN-4D plans and authentically rebuilt using the materials and methods of the era. Many of the metal parts are original, but much of the wood components had to be reconstructed in a 9,500 man-hours project. The Jenny was donated to The Museum of Flight in 1985. The authentic Curtiss OX-5 engine was donated by Arnold Cassidy in 1986.
