Amazing photo of an Aeromarine flying boat flying over Bimini in the Bamahas. Photo date 17 January 1922 according to one source, but photo reportedly issued as a postcard in the autumn of 1921. Columbus sank between Key West and Havana on 13 January with the loss of four passengers and mail. Photo from: Smithsonian Institution

American version of the British Felixstowe F5L which in turn was an improved development of the American Curtiss H-12. F5Ls were built in the US by the Naval Aircraft Factory and Curtiss. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

This early US airline offered flights from Key West to Havana and from Miami to Bimini - both international destinations which still allowed drinking. Photo from: Florida Keys Public Libraries

The Aeromarine 75 could seat about ten passengers and was a civil conversion of the American-built Felixstowe F.5L, itself based on a Curtiss design. Civil aviation in America lagged behind Europe through lack of government support, but Aeromarine's own airline was quite innovative, with branches in Florida and New York plus a Detroit - Cleveland service across Lake Erie. The Great Lakes Division only lasted from July 1922 until September 1923 though. In other photos its aircraft carry names and a light paint job. Here the rear fuselage reads 'Aerial Express' and a British contemporary source mentions the Aerial Express Company of Detroit. Photo from: Wayne State University

From around 1918, this nose is a rare survivor. The type was developed from the American Curtiss F.5L This nose section has been beautifully restored after being used as a garden shed and is displayed at the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation museum