Converted from a PBY-4, this was the prototype of the amphibious PBY-5A. First flown as such at San Diego on 2 November 1939, it is seen here at 'Washington', presumably Anacostia, arriving from Florida. Despite having wheels, it apparently took the traditional route via Panama. Photo from: Library of Congress

Photo by Jim Tunney.

The first of only six S-58 helicopters - HUS-1Gs 1332 through 1336 and 1343 - to serve in the US Coast Guard, which received the HH-52 Seaguard instead. The 6A tail code of the Skyraiders in the background hints at NAS Anacostia as the photo location. 1332 went to the USAF as 63-7972 and to Air America in August 1963, then to the Laotian air force. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

The first of 205 NH-1 instrument trainers. These wore a green band around the rear fuselage. The US Navy appreciated the qualities of the Howard DGA-15 and some 275 utility transports designated GH were also acquired, adding to four impressed civil aircraft. The GH-2 model was an ambulance. It is not clear if the name Nightingale applied to the GH-2 or to the GH and NH overall, depending if it referred to Florence or the bird. Photo from: Naval History and Heritage Command

Lost out to Curtiss SOC. Only one prototype built. Assigned to Mustin Field, Philadelphia. Crashed in May 1938. Photo from: National Museum of the US Navy

Richard Byrd testing a rubber lifeboat for the upcoming MacMillan Arctic Expedition. According to one newspaper, this was to take place at Anacostia although others claim this is 'New York'. A-5914 is listed as a VE-7SF, a single-seat landplane fighter variant of the VE-7 Bluebird. This floatplane is a two-seater. One VE-7SF was reportedly converted to VE-7SH floatplane. Photo from: Library of Congress

'The first plane of the new transcontinental air line, of which Col Lindbergh is one of the organizers, photographed at Boiling Fields [sic].' Bolling Field was the same runway as Anacostia until 1935, when the US Army moved to a new Bolling Field nearby. TAT offered the first coast-to-coast air service between New York and Los Angeles in 1929, although the 48-hour journey involved a night train between NY and Columbus, Ohio and another one between Waynoka, Oklahoma and Clovis, New Mexico. 'Take A Train' merged with Maddux Air Lines, and then with Western Air Express to form TWA in 1930. Photo from: Library of Congress

Christened here by Eleanor Roosevelt. Photo from: Library of Congress

Carried by the supply ship Jacob Ruppert, this Curtiss Condor was used by Richard Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition, fitted with floats or skis. The aircraft made it back but only to be scrapped in 1935. Photo from: National Museum of the US Navy

The only example built of the Model 24 twin-boom 'naval Curtiss bombing plane', seen against the backdrop of Roosevelt Hall, Washington DC. A-5890 delivered on 1 May 1921. Struck off charge on 9 November 1923.