The Journey to Paris Begins (1927)

A close air-to-air photograph of the Spirit of St. Louis banking gently over the flat California terrain, taken from beneath the wing of the M-2 chase plane during its departure. — The Journey to Paris Begins (1927) · Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

One of the most poignant and rarely seen photographs in aviation history, preserved in the Donald A. Hall Estate Collection. Taken from beneath the wing of the Ryan M-2 chase plane carrying Donald A. Hall Sr. and B.F. Mahoney, this 1927 image captures the Spirit of St. Louis banking away after departing Rockwell Field. Unaware of the absolute global fame that awaited their creation, Hall and Mahoney watched Lindbergh embark on the very first leg of his legendary transatlantic journey.