Ole Miss - 2 O'Clock |
Forward Fuselage |
Lower Forward Fuselage |
Note: Fuel Sump |
Powerplant Installation Note: Venturi's |
Powerplant Installation |
Wheel Note: Mechanical Brakes |
Jury Struts Note: Pitot Tube |
Strut Fitting |
Ole Miss - Empennage |
Two brothers, Al and Fred Keys took off from Meridian Mississippi on June 4, 1935 and landed nearly a month later on July 1, establishing a world endurance record of 653 hours, 34 minutes. The brothers had to cope with cramped quarters, severe thunderstorms and an electrical fire. Their airplane was a modified Wright Whirlwind powered Curtiss Robin which they named Ole Miss. Through a sliding hatch in the cabin roof, they received 432 deliveries of food, supplies, fuel and oil from another robin. The forward cowls of Ole Miss were removed and a walkway added to the forward fuselage to allow inflight engine maintenance and lubrication. Their was also an extra fuel tank added in the aft cabin, atop which the brothers took turns sleeping. During the flight the whirlwind consumed an estimated 6,500 gallons of fuel and 300 gallons of oil.