The Columbia Biplane designed by Colonel Paul Peck was fitted with a seven-cylinder, air-cooled rotary rated at 50 hp at 1500 rpm, built by the Gyro Motor Company (Washington), sponsored by, and designed under the direction of Emile Berliner.
A Gordon Bennett Cup entry did not compete.
In American Air Mail Catalogue, Vol 1, 6th Edition, Entry 3: Sep 23-Oct 1, 1911, Garden City-Mineola, NY, International Aviation Tournament. The first official US airmail was flown during the (event) at the Aerodrome on Nassau Boulevard in Garden City. Postmaster General Frank H Hitchcock authorized mail to be flown and Earle L Ovington was sworn in as the first official airmail pilot. T O M Sopwith and Capt Paul W Peck also flew mail during the meet. Ovington flew mail on the first day, and most covers and cards received a circular “Aeroplane Station #1” postmark and a 3-word (“Aerial Special Despatch”) cachet. Covers were postmarked during each day of the meet, but no mail was flown on Sep 29 or Oct 1 due to poor weather conditions. A total of 43,247 pieces of mail was serviced during the meet.
[ibid.] Entry 41: July 19-21, 1912, Coney Island [an amusement park clone in Cincinnati; note roller coaster in background on postcard], Ohio. Paul Beck [spelling error] flew mail each of three days from Coney Island to California, Ohio [the town’s Post Office existed 1865-1935 on the outskirts of Cincinnati, about 1.5 miles from the park]. A Columbia biplane was used and the service was designated as Route 631,003.
The heavy Gyro motor was fatal to Peck (and passenger) in his crash on Cicero Field, Chicago on September 11, 1912. Peck held American pilot licence No.57 and had set the American duration record at 4 hours 23 minutes, 15 seconds set on May 24, 1912.
Engine: 50hp Gyro rotary pusher
Wingspan 30’0″
Seats: 1
All Aero 