Flying Heritage Museum: A worn-out Jenny (photo diary)

by Ojibwa for Kossack Air Force

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Friday, Jun. 13, 2025 Friday, Jun. 13, 2025 at 7:15:03am PDT

The first mass-produced American airplane was the Curtiss Jenny. During World War I, most of the American and Canadian pilots trained in Jennys. Following the War, thousands of Jenny’s were sold at bargain prices and spurred American civil aviation.

The Curtiss JN-4 was a twin-seat trainer—student in front of instructor.

The Jenny has a top speed of 75 mph, a range of 173 miles, and a ceiling of 6,500 feet. It was powered by a 90 HP Curtiss OX5 V8 engine.

The Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum in Everett, Washington has a Curtiss JN-4D Jenny. A total of 2,812 of the D versions were built. The Museum’s Jenny was built in 1918 and, after having been a military trainer at March Field in Riverside, California, it was sold. For the next 75 years it flew in California and was featured in numerous film and television productions. The OX5 engine was replaced by an OXX6 engine for safety and reliability.