The first Santa Maria, MM45043, flew from Italy to New Orleans via Brazil but burnt in Arizona. This replacement aircraft was shipped to New York and headed north to Boston on 8 May 1927. But this was merely a test flight or a gesture to the Italian community in Boston, for Francesco de Pinedo did not skip the stretch between New Orleans and New York. He flew back south along the coast to New Orleans, and then to Chicago via the Mississippi, rather than via the US west coast as originally planned. Then he flew back to Europe via Newfoundland and the Azores. Photo by: Leslie Jones / Boston Public Library

The original designation of the OU observation aircraft was UO, with the letter U allocated to Vought. In the US Navy's post-1923 designation system the letters were reversed. Fitted out as a seaplane the type used a larger tailfin than as a landplane. Photo by: Leslie Jones / Boston Public Library

French WWI ace Charles Nungesser and François Coli took off from Le Bourget for a non-stop transatlantic flight to New York on 8 May 1927, but disappeared without trace in L'Oiseau Blanc (The White Bird). This was just before Lindbergh's successful crossing. The PL.8 was developed for this flight from the French navy's PL.4 reconaissance type and the plane wears naval markings. The undercarriage was jettisoned after take-off. Photo from: Bibliothèque nationale de France - Gallica

A replacement S.55 has been shipped from Italy for Francesco de Pinedo, see other photo. Confirmation is sought that this airframe, c/n 10016, is s/n MM40208. Miller Field on Staten Island closed in 1970. The seaplane hangars still stand. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

The S.55 Santa Maria (I), MM45043 (c/n 10015) flew across the Atlantic to Brazil in February 1927 captained by Francesco de Pinedo. He then headed north but the aircraft burnt at the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, Arizona on 6 April. A replacement aircraft, Santa Maria (II) was shipped to New York and is seen here after assembly at Miller Field on Staten Island. An M1917 tank seems to be in use as a tractor. With this aircraft De Pinedo flew back to Rome. Wearing c/n 10016, it is probably MM40208, which became I-SAAT in the search for the airship Italia, but confirmation is sought. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum