May Fourth is informally the
Star Wars Day holiday, which random brands typically use to hawk their wares. Although it’s not as bad as the promotions that come out of the woodwork on April Fools’ Day, I think I’m drawing the line at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum adding an X-wing Starfighter from
Star Wars to its collection. The museum announced today that the famous ship would be going on display in 2022, via a prop loan from the Disney-owned production company, Lucasfilm.
The Smithsonian says the X-wing in question is from
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and will be displayed outside the museum’s Albert Einstein Planetarium after undergoing “conservation in the Restoration Hangar in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.”
Saving the USAF’s national treasures
By London Bishop - lbishop@aimmediamidwest.com
Lead Restoration Specialist Casey Simmons shows the original and replaced turtle deck section of the Thomas Morse S4C Scout, the body of the plane that rests behind the pilot seat.
The restoration team had to fabricate the seat of the plane from scratch. The bucket-shaped seat that was previously installed was from the 1950s, and could be used with a seat parachute. As seat parachutes didn’t exist in 1918, the team restored the seat to what it would have looked like during World War I.
Pictured is the body of the Thomas Morse S4C Scout, stripped of its fabric outer coating.
Saving the USAF’s national treasures
By London Bishop - lbishop@aimmediamidwest.com
Lead Restoration Specialist Casey Simmons shows the original and replaced turtle deck section of the Thomas Morse S4C Scout, the body of the plane that rests behind the pilot seat.
The restoration team had to fabricate the seat of the plane from scratch. The bucket-shaped seat that was previously installed was from the 1950s, and could be used with a seat parachute. As seat parachutes didn’t exist in 1918, the team restored the seat to what it would have looked like during World War I.
Pictured is the body of the Thomas Morse S4C Scout, stripped of its fabric outer coating.
Tauranga s Classic Flyers - 15 years young and no end in sight
22 Jan, 2021 06:42 PM
4 minutes to read
Fifteen years on, Classic Flyers has taken off and there is no end in sight. Somewhat of a Tauranga institution, Classic Flyers celebrates 15 years in the game today with an open day.
Covid-19 disrupted birthday plans on May 28 last year so the aviation museum decided to wait and host a summer extravaganza instead.
Looking at it now, it s hard to believe Classic Flyers was just a twinkle in the eye of some Tauranga businessmen pre 2005.
Classic Flyers chief executive Andrew Gormlie. Photo / File
In 2000, several local businessmen including chief executive Andrew Gormlie initiated a project to explore the preservation of the large 1940s hangar on the Tauranga Airfield.