1930 Douglas Sinbad Prototype Photo, Coast Guard Dolphin \"Procyon\" For Sale

1930 Douglas Sinbad-Dolphin Prototype X-145W Vintage Photo
The single prototype that launched the Dolphin lineDESCRIPTIONOriginal vintage factory photograph of the Douglas Sinbad, the one-off prototype Douglas Aircraft built as a luxury \"air yacht\" flying boat that went on to become the pattern aircraft for the entire Douglas Dolphin line. Photographed on the tarmac at Douglas\'s Santa Monica field on September 10, 1930, just two months after its first flight, the aircraft carries its original experimental registration, X-145W, on the tail and the Douglas company shield (\"Douglas... First Around the World\") on the nose.At this stage the aircraft rests on its beaching-gear wheels rather than the retractable landing gear that would define the production Dolphin a year later, and the small stabilizing airfoil between the two Wright J-5C Whirlwind engines is already fitted above the wing, a detail unique to this early design phase.
Only one Sinbad was ever built. Period aviation records, including the U.S. Coast Guard\'s own aviation history archive, trace this same registration forward: recertified as NC-145W, the aircraft was sold to the U.S. Coast Guard in February 1931, given the nonstandard designation \"RD,\" and flew for years out of Air Station Cape May, New Jersey, under the name \"Procyon.\"
Photographer\'s negative number 2283 and the September 10, 1930 date are penciled on the reverse.
Scanned at 600dpi; the full-resolution scan is available on request.
Every effort is made toward fact-checking and provenance, including background research through news and historical archives.If any listing is incorrect in any way and you\'re unsatisfied with the item, please reach out and I\'ll make it right.Orders placed before Noon CDT ship same day via Ground Advantage with tracking, so you know exactly when it will arrive.Returns accepted on all items over $25. Every shipment goes out in rigid, professional packaging, sealed and protected in acid-free sleeves. Shipping is free and already built into the price, so the BIN price is exactly what you pay, no surprise costs at checkout.CONDITIONVintage gelatin silver print, sepia-toned with age, measuring approximately 8 x 10 inches. The image is sharp with strong contrast throughout, and the Douglas shield logo and tail markings are fully legible. Even overall toning consistent with a 96-year-old factory print. No tears and no creasing across the image area. Corners and edges show only minor handling wear typical of age. Negative number and date are penciled on the reverse in period hand.

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