Ryan NYP Forward Fuselage, Nose Cowl, and Exterior Periscope Housing (1927)

Flightline close-up of the Spirit of St. Louis forward fuselage showing damascened cowl, window, and periscope. — Ryan NYP Forward Fuselage, Nose Cowl, and Exterior Periscope Housing (1927) · Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

An archival flightline photograph detailing the left forward fuselage of the completed Spirit of St. Louis at Dutch Flats. The image details the hand-turned damascened nose cowl with "Spirit of St. Louis" lettering, the Wright radial engine cylinders, landing gear struts, fabric wheel cover, cockpit window, and the sliding external periscope housing aperture engineered by Donald Hall to provide forward visibility past the main fuel tank.