Planes at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry

[Ztex]

Probably underappreciated for what it is, but still my favorite there is Frank Hawks' Texaco 13. What a really cool airplane, and a significant survivor of a hugely important period of aviation history. I wonder how many people who wander through there even begin to understand what a neat treasure that airplane is?

kevin

Kevin, Do you have any history on the airplane? I have always thought it was a neat looking plane for sure.

Travel Air Model R "Mystery S"...very cool machine. The just about the fastest thing in the air at the time.

http://www.aviation-history.com/travelair/mystery.html

http://www.airracinghistory.freeola.com/aircraft/Travelair%20Mystery%20Ship.htm

I saw a flying replica in Fort Worth back in the 80s' and I fell in love....

[Rajay]

With or without the spats, the Stuka is one UGLY bird of prey. Still cool that one survives in such original condition.

Also couldn't help but notice that the conning tower of the U-boat seems to have some extra ventilation - courtesy of the US Navy! (Task Group 22.3 according to Wikipedia, on June 4, 1944, two days before D-Day.) Nice shooting, guys!

[Django]

Great pics! I didn't know they moved the Stuka and Spitfire. I don't remember the other aircraft either. I really like the Travel Air! I have a diecast Gilmore Travel Air on display at home (my only non-military diecast plane).

[tulsaboy]

Pat-

Others have posted links that tell the rough history of the airplane. I am reading "Speed" written by Frank Hawks right now, which is a great and quick read written in about 1930. (and if you want to try to find a copy, good luck! It only had one printing, and is even today considered somewhat rare) In it he shares stories of his early exploits in first-hand accounts. He also wrote a later book, Once to Every Pilot. I am looking forward to reading that one next. Frank Hawks gave Amelia Earhart her first flight in an airplane, which has been mentioned in about every Earhart book ever written. Amusingly enough, Hawks devotes about 2 lines in his book to it, when he basically says, "at that time while I was in ___ city I gave Amelia Earhart her first ride in an airplane..." and moves on. At the time he doesn't appear to be all that impressed with it, as she wasn't yet all that famous (compared to her later fame).

He flew the Texaco 13, and was (I think) its only pilot. He supervised its construction, flew it, wrecked it, flew it more, wrecked it again, had it rebuilt, and Texaco donated it to the Chicago museum. As far as I know, it is still in the condition it was in when Texaco donated it. Makes is a fairly significant time capsule of that period of time. Would be neat to see fly. (But I don't want this one flown!!!)

kevin

[sdennison]

Danke!

Ohne wasser.... Was gibst?

[Pat Carry]

Pat-

Others have posted links that tell the rough history of the airplane. I am reading "Speed" written by Frank Hawks right now, which is a great and quick read written in about 1930. (and if you want to try to find a copy, good luck! It only had one printing, and is even today considered somewhat rare) In it he shares stories of his early exploits in first-hand accounts. He also wrote a later book, Once to Every Pilot. I am looking forward to reading that one next. Frank Hawks gave Amelia Earhart her first flight in an airplane, which has been mentioned in about every Earhart book ever written. Amusingly enough, Hawks devotes about 2 lines in his book to it, when he basically says, "at that time while I was in ___ city I gave Amelia Earhart her first ride in an airplane..." and moves on. At the time he doesn't appear to be all that impressed with it, as she wasn't yet all that famous (compared to her later fame).

He flew the Texaco 13, and was (I think) its only pilot. He supervised its construction, flew it, wrecked it, flew it more, wrecked it again, had it rebuilt, and Texaco donated it to the Chicago museum. As far as I know, it is still in the condition it was in when Texaco donated it. Makes is a fairly significant time capsule of that period of time. Would be neat to see fly. (But I don't want this one flown!!!)

kevin

Interesting Kevin, thanks.

[Mike Halbrook]

Fine Scale Modeler had an article about the markings and service history of Spitfire Mk 1a P9306 by Ken Sommerfield in the winter 1982 issue. The kills recorded on the A/C were done by several different pilots over an extended period of time. The A/C spent time with various OTUs, and time being repaired, it was thumped pretty good by various new pilots.