[vinfiz] Calbraith Perry "Cal" Rodgers piloted this Wright EX wood and fabric biplane on the first U.S. transcontinental flight in 1911. The Armour Packing Company, makers of "Vin Fiz" grape soda, sponsored the flight, and the plane was nicknamed the "Vin Fiz."

When Rodgers made the flight he was 32 years old, with less than 60 hours of flying experience. Holding his course by following railway lines, he made 70 stops during his 84-day flight, often crash-landing. The Vin Fiz had to be rebuilt 4 times during his transcontinental adventure.

Courtesy of the National Air and Space Museum
Vin Fiz Aircraft

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