Jack Fellows (American, B. 1941) "Wright Brothers Model B Airplane" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 32c Wright Model B Flyer stamp issued July 19, 1997. A daring airplane race held in America in 1911 challenged contestants to fly coast to coast within a two-month period. One entry was a Model B built by Wilbur and Orville Wright for Calbraith Perry Rodgers, having a top speed of 60 mph. Taking off on September 17 from Sheepshead Bay, New York, Rodgers became the sole participant after the other two pilots quit. Many mechanical mishaps and five major crashes later, Rodgers landed in Pasadena, California, on November 5, having flown 4,231 miles. His sixth crash came 12 miles short of the ocean, leaving him with internal injuries and a broken ankle. Four weeks later, however, Rodgers flew on to triumphantly land his battered Model B in the Pacific surf. Image Size: 16.5 x 14 in. Overall Size: 18 x 15.5 in. Unframed. (B15606)