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Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
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Author:  APG85 [ Thu Jan 15, 2015 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
Good chance to take an up-close look at the plane. Wish they would strip the yellow varnish off of the cowlings while it is down but I don't think there are going to do it (it's been discussed for decades).

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/feature ... /21810771/
Author:  Cubs [ Thu Jan 15, 2015 6:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
The article says they will attempt to remove the yellow varnish from the panels.

On another note, I have a question about the wheels. Are the current ones in the picture installed as dummies while the aircraft is on the ground? The original wheels are being stored elsewhere?
Author:  APG85 [ Thu Jan 15, 2015 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
I posted a question about the yellow varnish to the museum a few months ago and they responded that they were not going to attempt to remove it at this time. Hopefully they have changed their minds:

"Is there a plan to remove the yellow varnish from the cowlings on the "Spirit of St. Louis" in the near future? Thanks."

"This work is desired, however, it is not currently planned for completion during this renovation. Our conservation specialists will take a closer look at the aircraft next year and a final determination on near-term treatment will be made at that time. Thanks for your question."

As far as the wheels, the installed ones are being used temporarily to support the aircraft while it is on the ground so that the originals are not stressed with the weight of the plane. They did the same thing the last time they lowered the plane. Unfortunately, they spoil the look of the plane while it is on the ground for pictures, etc. but apparently it is necessary while they are doing conservation work. They've stored the original set while they work on the plane. They also have the original wheels and tires that were on the plane for the New York-Paris flight. I don't believe that set has ever been on display. They were swapped out during the cross-country tour Lindbergh did with the plane.
Author:  barnbstormer [ Fri Jan 16, 2015 3:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
It may be interesting to follow the various sets of wheels from the "Spirit."
I do not know if B. Nugent Brothers Dry Goods Department store (St. Louis)was one of the Spirit of St. Louis' sponsors, but they had an interesting "Welcome Home" display, professionally designed for one of their windows. There were numerous Lindbergh photos, and a New York to Paris monument with New York skyline and Eiffel Tower and other things. One fairly unusual display item was a "Wheel used on plane flown by Col. Chas Lindbergh," as shown. (was it on "a" plane, or "THE" Plane?) In this Original period 8 x 10 you can read every word on the display signs and "monument"

Image

Image
Author:  APG85 [ Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
Awesome! Thanks for posting the pictures! I don't think the wheel and tire are from the SOSL but probably from a Jenny or a Canuck. The SOSL has had two sets of wheels and tires in it's active life and both sets are in the Smithsonian...
Author:  APG85 [ Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
Short video of the NYP being lowered:

http://youtu.be/yNFZJ_qbzFA

Some good pictures here:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsoni ... 11/?no-ist
Author:  APG85 [ Sat Jan 17, 2015 7:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
Another nice set of up-close, detailed pictures:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/spi ... llery.html
Author:  APG85 [ Wed Jan 21, 2015 6:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
If anyone happens to be at the museum in the next few months, please take some detailed pictures of the plane if you can. Thanks...!
Author:  APG85 [ Thu Jan 22, 2015 1:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
Speaking of the SOSL, the air museum at Le Bourget (Musée de l'air et de l'espace) supposedly has the original fuselage fabric that the French replaced after Lindbergh's flight in 1927 (damaged by souvenir hunters after his landing). Has anyone ever seen it? Is it on display?
Author:  APG85 [ Wed Feb 11, 2015 8:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Spirit of St. Louis Lowered to NASM Floor...
Some details on the work being done on the SOSL. Cowlings are now removed...

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/spi ... ace-museum
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