Bob Coolbaugh flying the Curtiss-Ely replica at Virginia Beach on October 8, 2011, during the MAM’s Biplanes and Zeppelins Airshow. The 125 h.p. Continental-powered machine was delivered to Virginia Beach by Andrew King on April 4.

Bob Coolbaugh’s Curtiss Pusher reproduction arrived at Virginia Beach Airfield, Virginia, USA, on April 4, following its acquisition by the Military Aviation Museum (MAM).

The retired navy/airline pilot spent more than 6,000hr building the machine from the summer of 2008 to October 8, 2010, when it made its maiden flight from New Market Airport, Virginia. The aircraft represents the aeroplane in which, on November 14, 1910, pioneering naval pilot Eugene Ely made the first flight from a ship, the USS Birmingham, which was moored off Hampton Roads, Virginia. The reproduction will fly at MAM’s Flying Proms event on May 5.