Did you know that one of the most important airplanes of World War I never saw combat? The Curtiss JN-4 - often referred to as the “Jenny” - is arguably the most important airplane in aviation history, but many people aren’t aware of its fascinating history. At Valley Forge Cupolas, our airplane weathervane pays homage to this marvelous plane that helped launch commercial flight.
From Pilot Training to Barnstorming: the History of the Jenny
During World War I, the US Army Air Service bought thousands of Curtiss JN-4s in order to train pilots. The plane had a very rudimentary design, consisting of two seats (one for the instructor and one for the student), two fixed wheels, and a wooden tail skid. The biplane could hit 75 mph and reach an altitude of 11,000 feet, and could stay airborne for just over two hours. The Army chose the Jenny for training because the plane was mass-produced, making it easy for the manufacturer to meet wartime demand.
But it wasn’t until the war ended that the Jenny saw widespread popularity. The government sold hundreds of surplus JN-4s for $300 (roughly $4,130 today), flooding the market. Thousands of pilots learned to fly in a Jenny, including Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. The nimble Jennys gave birth to barnstorming, a form of entertainment in which stunt pilots performed tricks, both individually and in groups called flying circuses. Pilots toured the country, performing tricks or offering rides to paying customers, making the Jenny the first plane many Americans ever saw.
The Jenny was famous for firsts. It was the first plane to carry mail for the US Postal Service, and was also the first plane to successfully communicate plane-to-plane and ground-to-plane via radiotelephony. The removable deck behind the cockpits allowed for conversion to a stretcher, helping the Jenny to become the first aerial ambulance.
But it wasn’t until the war ended that the Jenny saw widespread popularity. The government sold hundreds of surplus JN-4s for $300 (roughly $4,130 today), flooding the market. Thousands of pilots learned to fly in a Jenny, including Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh. The nimble Jennys gave birth to barnstorming, a form of entertainment in which stunt pilots performed tricks, both individually and in groups called flying circuses. Pilots toured the country, performing tricks or offering rides to paying customers, making the Jenny the first plane many Americans ever saw.
The Jenny was famous for firsts. It was the first plane to carry mail for the US Postal Service, and was also the first plane to successfully communicate plane-to-plane and ground-to-plane via radiotelephony. The removable deck behind the cockpits allowed for conversion to a stretcher, helping the Jenny to become the first aerial ambulance.
Bring History Home with the Jenny Airplane Weathervane
If you are a history or aviation buff, our airplane weathervane will make the perfect addition to your home or garden! It’s gleaming, polished copper finish catches the eye and fires up the imagination. Whether topping off a cupola, adorning your roof or shed, or even keeping watch over your garden, this exquisite airplane weathervane is sure to draw attention and admiration. Built from durable copper, this weathervane will be enjoyed for decades to come. Call us today at 866-400-1776 to make the Jenny part of your home!
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