Spirit of St Louis - First solo nonstop transatlantic flight (May 1927)

The Spirit of St. Louis (registration no N-X-211) is the custom-built, single engine, single-seat, high wing monoplane that was flown by Charles Lindbergh on May 20–21, 1927, on the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight from New York to Paris.

The plane was a Ryan NYP developed from the Ryan M2, a single-engine high-wing monoplane, modified to Lindbergh’s specifications. Extra fuel tanks occupied much of what had been cabin space. The windshield was replaced by an extension of the nose cowling. Lindbergh had direct vision only from the side windows, relying on a periscope to see straight ahead. There was no radio. Fuel capacity with the extra tanks was 450 gallons; top speed at sea level, when loaded, was 120 miles (200 km) per hour; and range was 4,100 miles (6,600 km).

The Spirit of St Louis is on permanent display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC.