American aviator Charles Lindbergh and his plane, 'Spirit of St Louis', c1927 (c1937). In 1927 Charles Augustus Lindbergh (1902-1974) an American aviator, author, inventor, military officer, explorer, and social activist, flew the first nonstop New York to Paris flight. Flying in the 'Spirit of St Louis', the fabric-covered, single-seat, single-engine monoplane designed by Lindbergh and the Ryan Company's chief engineer, Donald A Hall, his record-setting flight took 33.5 hours. Lindbergh was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery. From Wonders of World Aviation, Vol. 1, by Clarence Winchester. [The Amalgamated Press Ltd, London, c1937]