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In our earlier post on the new Google Maps satellite images, one of our amazing commenters pointed out this curious bi-plane on the roof of a building at 77 Water Street, and asked for help identifying it. Quick as lightning, another commenter found the answer on NYC-Architecture:
The biplane on the roof sculpture was designed by some guy named Rudolph de Harak and executed by the sculptor William Tarr in 1969 (thanks Jack Ryan). Apparently it's a full-size model of a WW1 Sopwith Camel, complete with runway. It was put there to amuse inhabitants of surrounding scyscrapers, notably the WTC.
Awesome stuff! [Related: here's another angle on the bi-plane, from WLL.]
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Check out Bryant Park. The Verizon building and the Grace building appear to be crashing into one another...
I see that byplane every day when walking to the bathroom! Hopefully Google doesn't have satellite imagery of me on the toilet.
But thanks for that helpful info. I always wondered.
Nice Find!
I wonder what it takes to get up close to it??
I can almost make out Snoopy in the cockpit.
Here is another angle.
And another.
"The biplane on the roof sculpture was designed by some guy named Rudolph de Harak and executed by the sculptor William Tarr in 1969 (thanks Jack Ryan). Apparently it's a full-size model of a WW1 Sopwith Camel, complete with runway. It was put there to amuse inhabitants of surrounding scyscrapers, notably the WTC."
Well, the WTC wouldn't have been there in 1969...
Actually, WTC construction began in 1966, the North Tower opened in 1970.
that "some guy" is the guy that designed the new york times logo.
I work on the top floor of 55 Water and stare down at that plane every single day. Note that the green strip is also a putting green.
I used to work in 20 Exchange, which overlooks 77 Water. Here's what the plane looked like from my window.