Museum News & Views - 2004/02

AS I WRITE THIS, I am amazed that 2003
is nearly over and, by the time this issue of
Model Aviation is in your hands, the events
surrounding the 100th anniversary of the
Wright brothers’ historic flight will have
concluded.
Years in the planning, the many activities
and events surrounding this anniversary
have brought the story of the Wright
brothers and early aviation directly into the
homes of millions as never before. Whether
those attempting to re-create the historic
flight at Kitty Hawk are successful or not,
the knowledge and data they have gained in
recreating the Wright Flyers will be well
worth the effort.
As you read this, the museum’s exhibit,
“Spinning Tops to Whirling Props,” will
have officially opened. As you may have
read in previous issues of Model Aviation,
this exhibit highlights the accomplishments
of the Wrights, while a special hands-on
component—a reproduction of the centersection
of the 1905 Flyer III—provides an
opportunity for visitors to learn how the
brothers controlled their aircraft.
For more information please visit the
museum’s portion of the AMA Web site at
http://modelaircraft.org/museum/index.asp.
A billboard at one of Muncie’s busiest
intersections advertises the museum and
Celebration of Flight. Photo by Sarah
Greiner.
Writing about the Web page, the National
Model Aviation Museum’s section has been
greatly improved! While some of it is still
under construction, the site will eventually
allow those of you who will never be able to
visit the museum the opportunity to see
some of the collection.
If you had visited the museum section of
the Web page in the past, all you would have
seen was a single page listing the museum’s
hours and admission, links to our artifact
donation form, information on the museum
patron program, and directions to the
facility.
Now there is information about exhibits,
new acquisitions to the collection, the
library, theater, restoration shop, and the
museum store (including online shopping).
There is information on the museum’s
educational programs, the museum’s Patron
Program, and instructions detailing how to
donate artifacts to the National Model
Aviation Museum.
Information online regarding the History
Program includes a list of those individuals
about whom we have completed
biographies. Finally there is a general
museum information page with the hours,
prices, directions, etc.
The winners of our first student aviation art
contest are posted on the Web site. This was
open to students in the Muncie, Indiana, area
from grades kindergarten through 12. We did
not receive any entries from grades six
through 12; however, for the first year of an
event such as this we were excited to receive
nearly 450 pieces of artwork.
All of the artwork was temporarily placed
on display in
the museum’s
main gallery
and on
Saturday,
November 8,
2003, the
awards were
presented. We
awarded first
through third
places in two
categories:
grades
kindergarten through two and three through
five, along with a Best in Show award.
The entries from the first Student Aviation
Art Contest were displayed in the main
gallery of the museum.
The turnout for the presentations was
high, as all but one child was present. When
combined with the families who were
visiting as part of a Tiger Cub Scout tour,
this made for a busy day in the museum!
As a last bit of news, the museum’s
collection of radio-controlled aircraft used
for other than simply enjoyment has
significantly grown during the past year.
This includes the acquisition of several
target drones. There is the exciting addition
of an OQ-2A World War II target drone (an
article will be appearing later) as well as
Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) trainers and
a prototype for a proposed full-scale
amphibian aircraft.
OQ-2A World War II target drone.
One-third-scale Hunter UAV trainer.
One-half-scale Pioneer UAV trainer.
For our many visitors—especially
parents with children—these aircraft provide
a glimpse of potential careers. For some
parents who might otherwise not want to
spend money on such “toys,” these aircraft
show that model aviation, while exciting for
their youngsters, can lead to future job
opportunities.
168
Museum News & Views
Michael Smith
National Model
Aviation Museum
Curator
Tel.: (765) 287-1256
Ext. 500
[email protected]
The winner of Best of
Show was fifth-grader
Kyle Ludwick from
DeSoto Elementary.
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