Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Ryan NYP "Spirit of St. Louis" Master Frontal Calibration View (Plate #3108) (1927)

The definitive master frontal engineering photograph (negative plate #3108) of the Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, taken at Dutch Flats, San Diego, in late April 1927. The aircraft sits with its tail skid hoisted on a wooden leveling trestle to bring the fuselage thrust line horizontal. Donald A. Hall Sr. used this exact optical perspective to verify landing gear track geometry, strut fairing alignment, and transverse balance across the 46-foot wingspan prior to initial flight trials.