https://www.wvhistoryonview.org/catalog/001319https://www.wvhistoryonview.org/image/001319.jpgWest Virginia Flying Corps Hangar and Planes at Beech Bottom, W. Va.ca. 1917/06World War, 1914-1918--Aerial operations.Biplanes.Air pilots, Military.World War I--Aviation--Pilots--Bennett, Louis.Aircraft in foreground is a "grass cutter" or "penguin," a non flying training machine designed to teach student pilots of the day start up and taxi procedures. Rear aircraft is Curtiss JN-4, aircraft #1 of WV Flying Corps. See Louis Bennett letter to Gov. John J. Cornwell, 22 June 1917, WV State Archives, Charleston, Box 302. Note: Aircraft #1 was destroyed in a crash on 3 August 1917. See Wheeling Register, 4 August 1917, front page. West Virginia History OnView