Ryan NYP Tail Surfaces and Flightline Empennage Geometry (May 1927)

Broad perspective of the Spirit of St. Louis empennage showing rudder, elevators, and upper wing registration. — Ryan NYP Tail Surfaces and Flightline Empennage Geometry (May 1927) · Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

An archival flightline negative capturing the empennage and aft fuselage of the Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis from a low ground perspective. The image documents the elevator trailing edges, control horn cable connections, balanced rudder markings, and the bold black registration letters painted across the upper wing surface in the background. The tail skid rests firmly on the unpaved surface, illustrating the ground attitude of the aircraft prior to flight.