Caroline Carpenter

FROM EARLY attempts at flying machines to supersonic jets, the aircraft model collection of the Smithsonian's National Air & Space Museum is renowned for its quality and breadth. Beginning this October, 25 aircraft models from this collection will tour the nation for the first time in a new exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES). "On Miniature Wings: Model Aircraft of the National Air & Space Museum" celebrates the rapid advance of aviation in this century and explores the diverse roles aircraft models have played during the past 100 years. Aircraft models serve a vital educational purpose as tools to understanding aviation