This Ryan NYP was on display at Le Bourget to commemorate that it was 50 years ago when Charles Augustus Lindbergh made the first nonstop flight from New York City to Paris.

The original Spirit of St. Louis. Charles Lindbergh made a brief stop at Fort Riley on 12 August 1927 during his grand tour of the United States. The photo must have been taken in 1928, since the Spirit carries the flags of the Latin American countries he visited during the winter. The photo source says 1932. However, the plane arrived in Washington DC for good on 30 April 1928. Note that although widely quoted as c/n 1, 29 or 30, this aircraft was in fact never issued a Ryan manufacturer serial number, nor a type certificate by the Civil Aeronautics Authority. Photo from: State Historical Society of Missouri

The NYP was developed from the Ryan M-2 especially for Charles Lindbergh for his Trans-Atlantic crossing. Although similar to the more produced Ryan Brougham, only the tail surfaces and a few wing fittings were common between the two designs. The NYP made its last flight April 30, 1928 from St. Louis to Washington and was donated to the Smithsonian Institution. Despite this aircraft being quoted as c/n 1, 29 or 30, it was in fact never issued a Ryan serial number.

Whilst there are several replicas of this important aircraft, this is the real thing! This sole Ryan NYP was manufactured in April 1927. It is widely quoted as c/n 1, 29 or 30, but it was in fact never issued a manufacturer serial number by Ryan, nor a type certificate by the Civil Aeronautics Authority.

NYP replica built by Century Aviation in 2011. Bill Bryson's book One Summer made me realise how great Lindbergh's achievement really was, especially navigational.

Spirit of St Louis, the original, not one of the many replicas, seen at the Smithsonian Collection. This sole Ryan NYP was manufactured in April 1927. It is widely quoted as c/n 1, 29 or 30, but it was in fact never issued a manufacturer serial number by Ryan, nor a type certificate by the Civil Aeronautics Authority.

This full-sized replica is suspended from the ceiling of the arrivals hall at San Diego International Airport. The airport, Lindbergh Field, bears the name of the pilot famous for flying the original aircraft solo across the Atlantic.