John D. Cooper and His Demonstration of a Curtiss Flying Boat in Istanbul, 1914: The First American Aircraft Sold to Turkey

This article describes the career of John D. Cooper, an early American aviator and a leading test pilot for Glenn Curtiss. In the latter role he demonstrated a Curtiss flying boat in Istanbul in 1914 before a massive crowd. This aircraft was subsequently sold to Turkey and provided the primary stimulus to Ottoman naval aviation. It was also the first American aircraft sold in the Middle East.