Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight

After the Vimy crossing, an American restaurenteur offered $25,000 to the first crew to cross the more arduous route from New York to Paris. Eight years later the prize was still awaiting claim when Lindbergh hurried ahead of other teams aiming for the lucre.

His two main rivals each spent more than the prize money on their planes -- Commander Richard Byrd spent $100,000 on a Fokker Trimotor. To make it aloft in the Ryan NYP, Lindbergh spent only $10,580, sacrificing comfort, soundproofing, forward vision, and, most astonisingly, even predictable handling in the race for the City of Light.