"William" wrote


When did the Navy get airplanes?


On May 8, 1911 Captain Washington I. Chambers prepared requisitions for
two Curtiss biplanes. One, the Triad, was to be equipped for arising
from or alighting on land or water; with a metal tipped propeller
designed for a speed of at least 45 miles per hour; with provisions for
carrying a passenger alongside the pilot; and with controls that could
be operated by either the pilot or the passenger. The machine thus
described later became the Navy's first airplane, the A-1. On July 1,
1911 the A-1 was delivered to the Navy.


73, de Hans, K0HB