Aeronautical engineer Donald A. Hall working at his desk — Flying Over Time Collection Donald A. Hall Estate

The Estate

Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

The Donald A. Hall Estate Collection contains the definitive, original 1927 engineering blueprints, technical notes, and historical photographic negatives documenting the design and construction of the Spirit of St. Louis (Ryan NYP).

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948 images from the family-held record. Search captions and descriptions, and open any image to view it in full.

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948 images

A sleek black Curtiss R2C-1 racing biplane with streamlined I-struts and Curtiss-Reed metal propeller parked outside an airfield hangar beside a mechanic. — Curtiss R2C-1 Pulitzer Trophy Racer and Mechanic (Circa 1923)
Preserved in the Donald A. Hall Estate Collection from his early career at Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, this photograph captures the historic Curtiss R2C-1 racing biplane outside an airfield hangar. Powered by a 500-horsepower Curtiss D-12A engine and featuring streamlined single I-struts, wing-skin surface radiators, and a metal Curtiss-Reed propeller, the R2C-1 won the 1923 Pulitzer Trophy and set a world airspeed record of 266.6 mph.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Frontal view of a 1927 Stinson SM-1 Detroiter cabin monoplane on the tarmac at Long Beach Airport outside Arbogast Aero Service hangars. — Stinson SM-1 Detroiter at Long Beach Municipal Airport (1927)
Captured on the ramp at Daugherty Field in Long Beach, California, Donald A. Hall Sr. documented this frontal view of a 1927 Stinson SM-1 Detroiter six-place cabin monoplane. Powered by a 220-horsepower Wright J-5 Whirlwind radial engine, the aircraft rests outside the arched hangars of Arbogast Aero Service and Belmont Airplane Co. As Chief Engineer of Ryan Airlines, Hall studied the Detroiter's wide-track landing gear, where the vertical shock struts attached directly to the wing struts to maximize ground stability.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Stinson SM-1 Detroiter Three-Quarter Ramp Profile (1927)

Documenting the rapid evolution of enclosed commercial airliners in 1927, Donald A. Hall Sr. photographed this three-quarter profile of a Stinson SM-1 Detroiter at Long Beach Municipal Airport. The high-wing monoplane features a fully enclosed passenger cabin, steel-tube wing struts, and a Standard Steel ground-adjustable propeller driven by a Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine. Hall analyzed these contemporary cabin layouts while engineering the Ryan B-1 Brougham in San Diego.

Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

A frontal view of the experimental Driggs-Johnson DJ-1 Bumblebee ultra-light monoplane resting on an open dirt landing field. — Driggs-Johnson DJ-1 Bumblebee Ultra-Light Monoplane (1924)
Demonstrating his analytical interest in low-power aerodynamic efficiency, Donald A. Hall Sr. preserved this frontal view of the 1924 Driggs-Johnson DJ-1 Bumblebee. Designed by aeronautical engineer Ivan H. Driggs and powered by a 28-horsepower Henderson four-cylinder motorcycle engine, the ultra-light semi-parasol monoplane featured a high-aspect-ratio USA 45 airfoil and an enclosed bubble cockpit, winning multiple lightplane events at the 1924 National Air Races in Dayton, Ohio.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Driggs-Johnson DJ-1 Bumblebee Profile and Enclosed Cabin (1924)

A clean profile study of the 1924 Driggs-Johnson DJ-1 Bumblebee, highlighting its streamlined, slab-sided fuselage tapering to a sharp knife-edge tail. The photograph details the pioneering enclosed celluloid cockpit canopy and wire-spoke wheels with disc covers. Hall preserved these technical reference images to study structural minimalism and induced-drag reduction across single-seat sporting airframes.

Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

A crashed biplane engulfed in intense flames with thick black smoke billowing into the sky, showing burned fabric ribs and exposed V-engine. — Post-Crash Biplane Fire and Structural Failure Study (1927)
Donald A. Hall Sr. recorded the harsh operational hazards of Golden Age aviation in this dramatic study of a crashed biplane consumed by fire. Thick black smoke billows from the wreckage as flames destroy the doped-fabric wing surfaces, exposing wooden truss ribs and the inverted V-engine block. Analyzing post-impact fires led Hall to engineer the Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis with its massive fuel cell fully isolated from pilot electrical conduits.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

An open-cockpit biplane inside a brightly lit hangar with the word DANGER stenciled in bold block letters near the propeller arc. — Biplane Hangar Safety Markings and Propeller Hazard Warning (1927)
Documenting early airfield industrial safety standards, Donald A. Hall Sr. photographed this open-cockpit biplane resting inside a hangar with a prominent DANGER warning stenciled along the nose cowling. Painted directly adjacent to the propeller arc, the marking alerted ground crews and flight mechanics to stay clear of the spinning wooden blades, reflecting the era's evolving ground-safety protocols.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Frontal view of an experimental high-wing cabin monoplane with an uncowled radial engine on a paved runway with wing markings. — Experimental High-Wing Cabin Monoplane Engine Run-Up (Circa 1927)
An experimental high-wing cabin monoplane sits positioned on an airfield runway during an engine run-up, showing an uncowled radial engine fitted with a Hamilton Standard metal propeller. With experimental Department of Commerce registration lettering visible along the wing undersurface, Donald A. Hall Sr. recorded this aircraft during the intense period of commercial prototyping leading to the boom in American cabin monoplanes.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

An open-cockpit biplane parked inside a dark corrugated metal hangar, showcasing an uncowled Wright-Hispano V-8 water-cooled engine. — Wright-Hispano V-8 Engine Installation on Hangar Biplane (1927)
Donald A. Hall Sr. focused his lens on the exposed mechanics of a water-cooled Wright-Hispano V-8 engine mounted to an open-cockpit biplane inside a corrugated hangar. Showing bare cylinder blocks, overhead camshaft valve gear, and the frontal radiator assembly, this negative captures the legendary Hisso powerplants that Hall and Ryan Airlines utilized to power early Ryan M-1 mailplanes and Standard J-1 passenger conversions.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

The massive Remington-Burnelli RB-2 twin-engine biplane transport constructed of corrugated duralumin metal skin parked on an airfield. — Remington-Burnelli RB-2 Corrugated Metal Lifting-Body Airliner (1925)
A standout historical treasure from the estate collection, this negative documents Vincent Burnelli's revolutionary 1924–1925 Remington-Burnelli RB-2 airliner. Constructed entirely of corrugated duralumin skin, the wide airfoil-shaped fuselage generated structural lift while housing a spacious passenger cabin and cargo hold. Powered by twin 500-horsepower Galloway Atlantic engines, the RB-2 represented a radical technological leap that Hall studied during his tenure pioneering all-metal construction at Ford and Stout.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

A sleek single-seat monoplane racer with a two-cylinder engine parked in weeds outside a US Air Mail Service hangar before a crowd. — Single-Seat Lightplane Racer Outside U.S. Air Mail Service Hangar (Circa 1925)
Resting in tall grass outside an active U.S. Air Mail Service municipal hangar, a tiny low-wing monoplane racer powered by a two-cylinder opposed engine attracts a crowd of spectators in summer suits and boater hats. Preserved by Donald A. Hall Sr. from National Air Race competitions, the negative captures the transitional era when government airmail infrastructure served as the epicenter for competitive aeronautical trials and private lightplane experimentation.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Ground crew mechanics resting on a tool chest beneath the lower wing of an experimental pursuit biplane with a streamlined nose spinner and tunnel radiator. — Experimental Pursuit Biplane and Ground Crew at McCook Field (Circa 1923)
Documenting the military pursuit evaluations that shaped early high-speed fighter design, Donald A. Hall Sr. photographed this experimental pursuit biplane resting on a grass airfield. Featuring an oversized pointed nose spinner, a 435-horsepower liquid-cooled Curtiss D-12 V-12 engine, and a chin tunnel radiator, this airframe represents the Boeing Model 15 (XPW-9) or Curtiss XPW-8 evaluated during the 1923 Army Air Service pursuit trials at McCook Field. Two ground crew mechanics lounge beside a field tool chest beneath the lower wing, illustrating the daily maintenance environment Hall studied while analyzing fighter performance.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

A distant aerial view of the U.S. Army non-rigid dirigible TC-2 cruising high above a large deciduous tree silhouette. — U.S. Army Airship TC-2 Cruising Above Tree Canopy (Circa 1923)
Donald A. Hall Sr. documented early lighter-than-air military aeronautics with this atmospheric photograph of the U.S. Army non-rigid dirigible TC-2 cruising in calm skies above a silhouette of tree branches. Built by Goodyear for the Army Air Service, the TC-2 measured 196 feet in length with a volume of over 200,000 cubic feet. Because the airship was destroyed in an accidental ordnance detonation in October 1924, this negative firmly anchors Hall's documentation to his early 1923–1924 research period.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

U.S. Army Airship TC-2 Low-Angle Flight Profile (Circa 1923)

A detailed low-angle flight study of the U.S. Army Air Service non-rigid airship TC-2 captured in sharp focus against an overcast sky. The photograph clearly reveals the suspended crew car, pusher propeller installations, cruciform control fins, and bold U.S. ARMY TC-2 lettering along the rubberized fabric envelope. As a structural engineer, Donald A. Hall Sr. studied aerostat displacement, envelope tension, and empennage aerodynamic control surfaces alongside his fixed-wing drafting work.

Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

The experimental seven-winged Gerhardt Cycleplane parked on the concrete ramp outside the flight-test hangars at McCook Field. — Dr. Gerhardt's Seven-Winged Cycleplane at McCook Field (1923)
One of the most remarkable experimental artifacts in the collection, this photograph documents the 1923 Gerhardt Cycleplane parked on the ramp outside the engineering hangars at McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio. Designed by Dr. William Frederick Gerhardt, this human-powered aircraft featured seven ultra-light wings stacked vertically like venetian blinds, a fabric-covered pilot nacelle, bicycle pedals, and a high-mounted wooden propeller. Donald A. Hall Sr. preserved this rare view of early multiplane boundary-layer experimentation during his surveys of military flight-testing centers.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Two men dressed in 1920s overcoats and fedoras standing in front of a sleek biplane with an enclosed fuselage and striped military rudder. — Aviation Engineers Beside Enclosed Biplane on Airfield (Circa 1923)
Reflecting the professional attire and culture of Golden Age aeronautical engineering, two men in tailored wool overcoats and fedoras stand on a dirt airfield before a sleek biplane. The aircraft features an aerodynamically faired fuselage, single-bay wing bracing, and a vertical tricolor red, white, and blue rudder, highlighting the military experimental types Donald A. Hall Sr. documented while working across East Coast and Midwest aviation plants.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Army Air Service Biplane Trainer Serial 671 on Flight Line (Circa 1923)

Donald A. Hall Sr. photographed this two-bay military biplane trainer resting on a grass airfield beside an open hangar. Sporting U.S. military rudder stripes and fuselage identification number 671, the aircraft stands with a gentleman in a dark three-piece suit and bowler hat alongside the cockpit. The negative preserves early military pilot training infrastructure, featuring wooden interplane struts, external control cables, and a liquid-cooled engine installation.

Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Three men in suits and coats inspecting a small, high-speed single-seat racing biplane with a wooden propeller on an unpaved airfield. — Inspecting Compact Racing Biplane on Airfield Tarmac (Circa 1923)
A group of civilian and military observers in three-piece suits, flat caps, and overcoats gather around a compact, high-performance single-seat racing biplane on an unpaved landing field. Featuring a low-drag wooden monocoque fuselage, tight nose cowling, two-blade wooden propeller, and wire-spoke wheels with disc covers, the aircraft exemplifies the intense air-racing designs Donald A. Hall Sr. studied following his aerodynamic research at Curtiss.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

A high-wing commercial cabin monoplane parked on the tarmac outside a large multi-story brick and glass aviation manufacturing hangar. — Commercial High-Wing Cabin Monoplane at Factory Hangar (Circa 1927)
Documenting the rapid rise of enclosed passenger air travel, Donald A. Hall Sr. photographed this high-wing cabin monoplane resting on the apron outside a brick aviation manufacturing hangar. Featuring an enclosed multi-window passenger compartment and vertical fuselage stripes, the aircraft reflects the commercial cabin monoplane boom that Hall spearheaded when designing the Ryan B-1 Brougham in San Diego.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

A front three-quarter view of an experimental military pursuit biplane with a large pointed nose spinner, tunnel radiator, and heavy wheel chocks. — Boeing XPW-9 Pursuit Fighter Prototype with Tunnel Radiator (Circa 1923)
A detailed technical perspective of the Boeing Model 15 (XPW-9) pursuit prototype at McCook Field, captured from the front three-quarter angle. Donald A. Hall Sr. framed the aircraft to highlight its massive pointed aerodynamic propeller spinner, Curtiss D-12 liquid-cooled engine with upper cowl exhaust stubs, underslung tunnel radiator with face shutters, and heavy wooden safety chocks. Hall analyzed these exact drag-reduction and cooling innovations before applying high-efficiency aerodynamic cowlings to the Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

A mechanic swinging the wooden propeller to start a Morane-Saulnier MoS-30 parasol monoplane as an Army officer watches on an airfield. — Hand-Propping Morane-Saulnier MoS-30 Parasol Monoplane (Circa 1923)
Capturing the physical reality of starting rotary and radial engines in the 1920s, Donald A. Hall Sr. photographed a mechanic swinging the wooden propeller of a French-built Morane-Saulnier MoS-30 parasol monoplane. Purchased by the American Expeditionary Force and evaluated at McCook Field, the aircraft features sweptback parasol wings, heavy landing gear struts, and distinctive M-S tail markings with military rudder stripes, while an Army officer in a military campaign hat observes from behind the wing.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

A press photographer with a large-format camera taking a picture of three men in suits standing before the Remington-Burnelli RB-2 lifting-body airliner. — Press Photographers and Dignitaries Beside Remington-Burnelli RB-2 (Circa 1925)
A compelling behind-the-scenes record of 1920s aviation media coverage, Donald A. Hall Sr. photographed a press photographer with a large-format camera capturing three executives standing before the Remington-Burnelli RB-2 lifting-body airliner. The image highlights the massive corrugated duralumin fuselage, distinctive vertical oval cabin windows, and lower wing structure of Vincent Burnelli's revolutionary transport, reflecting the public relations spectacles that accompanied radical aeronautical breakthroughs.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

The giant LWF Model H Owl three-engine biplane bomber parked outside a hangar with onlookers and boys on bicycles in the foreground. — LWF Model H Owl Tri-Motor Biplane Outside Airfield Hangar (Circa 1921)
Documenting the massive scale of experimental multi-engine military aircraft, Donald A. Hall Sr. photographed the LWF Model H Owl biplane parked outside a sprawling hangar. Designed as a night mailplane and evaluated by the U.S. Army Air Service as a heavy bomber, the aircraft was powered by three 400-horsepower Liberty L-12 engines mounted in a central fuselage and twin tailbooms. Two boys with bicycles and onlookers in the foreground emphasize the mammoth proportions of the 106-foot four-bay wings.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

Direct frontal view of an experimental parasol-wing monoplane on an unpaved airfield with spectators standing around the wings. — Experimental Parasol-Wing Monoplane Frontal Aerodynamic Study (Circa 1924)
Highlighting Donald A. Hall Sr.'s analytical focus on aerodynamic streamlining and frontal drag reduction, this photograph captures a direct head-on view of an experimental parasol-wing monoplane on a dirt airfield. The exposure details the wing lift struts, cabane rigging, and narrow engine installation, showcasing the high-wing efficiency concepts that Hall evaluated during his transitions from biplane structures toward modern monoplane designs.
Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

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