P.Bowers Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947 (Putnam)

Janin Patent Boat

   This aeroplane was unique in that it was built solely to prove that it would not fly. In 1917, Curtiss was involved in a continuation of the Janin patent infringement suit, To prove that the Janin patent was unworkable and should therefore be invalidated, Curtiss built a twin-engine flying-boat that was conventional in all respects except in the areas affected by Janin's patent. The special flying-boat, completed early in 1918, proved Curtiss's points of contention but the patent suit was not settled in Curtiss's favour until after the war.