Carved Wooden Wind-Tunnel Model of Elias XNBS-3 Night Bomber (Circa 1923)

A carved and polished wooden scale model of the twin-engine Elias XNBS-3 night bomber biplane featuring a triple-rudder tail. — Carved Wooden Wind-Tunnel Model of Elias XNBS-3 Night Bomber (Circa 1923) · Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Documenting Donald A. Hall Sr.'s early career contributions at G. Elias & Bro. in Buffalo, New York, this negative captures a finely carved and varnished wooden wind-tunnel display model of the Elias XNBS-3 night bombardment aircraft. Designed for the U.S. Army Air Service and powered by twin Liberty L-12 engines, the heavy bomber model features multi-bay biplane wings, two-blade tractor propellers with spinners, and a distinctive biplane horizontal tail fitted with three vertical rudders for directional control, reflecting the complex multi-engine stress analysis Hall executed prior to his West Coast career.