Curtiss JN-4D Jenny

No tail wheel? The Jenny was known as a “tail dragger.” The Jenny was the first mass produced aircraft with interchangeable parts. Construction of wood and fabric were typical of this era, as were exposed control wires. Skids protected the wings from hitting the ground on rough or dirt landing strips.

The basic Army trainer for WWI, 95% of American and Canadian pilots trained in a Jenny. In 1916, the Jenny was also used to follow Poncho Villa throughout the Mexican countryside. After WWI the surplus Jennys brought aviation to the people as a great beginner “flying machine.”

Pilots bought them for pleasure, display or in the hopes of making their fortunes. The era of barnstorming and wild stunts thrived and before the government began to regulate civil aviation, accidents were frequent.

The Jenny shown here is representing the WWI US Army Signal Corp, Aviation Section 1914-1918.