TONY JANNUS AND THE BENOIST XIV
On January 1, 1914, Anthony Habersack "Tony" Jannus piloted the world's first scheduled commercial flight from St. Petersburg to Tampa, Florida, across Tampa Bay in the Benoist Airboat Type XIV No. 43. The 22-mile flight marked the opening day of St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line and lasted 23 minutes. Jannus was joined by one passenger, former St. Petersburg mayor Abram C. Pheil, who bid $400 for the ticket at an auction. This collection of photographs features highlights from the 1914 flight as well as the construction and voyage of a full-size Benoist XIV replica built to reenact the flight for its 50th anniversary circa 1963.
Tony Jannus Poses with Passenger on the Benoist Airboat No. 43 While Others Tend to the Plane, Tampa
Tony Jannus Poses with Passenger on the Benoist Airboat No. 43 While a Young Boy and Two Others Stand Nearby, Tampa
Tony Jannus and George Gandy, Jr. Pose Aboard the Benoist Airboat No.43, Tampa
Tony Jannus Poses with Passenger in the Benoist Airboat No. 43, Tampa
Lincoln Beachey in Front of His Airplane at Census Celebration
Men Inspect Lincoln Beachey's Aeroplane at Census Celebration, A
Walter Beech Perches on Airplane at Old Fairgrounds in Tampa
Tony Jannus in Cockpit of Benoist Airboat, A
Benoist XIV Airboat in Operation, A
Benoist Airboat at St. Petersburg-Tampa Flight, A
Benoist Airboat at St. Petersburg-Tampa Flight, C
Men Work on Benoist Model 14-B Airboat, G