Tag: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

Posted on by

USAF Museum Releases New Photos Detailing Bleriot XI Restoration

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has provided the best glimpse so far of their ongoing Bleriot XI restoration in a newly posted update.

The type is famous for being the first aircraft to cross the English Channel in July 1909, and it was used by several famous early aviators from Louis Bleriot himself, to Adolphe Pégoud to Harriet Quimby. It even saw service in the early months of WW1. The museum’s specific example was built from factory drawings by Ernest C. Hall of Warren, Ohio in 1911. He donated it to the museum in 1939. It was removed from public display in 2023 for restoration, with work beginning earlier this year.

The new update shows progress on the aircraft’s engine, controls and fuselage. Check it out below.

Continue reading USAF Museum Releases New Photos Detailing Bleriot XI Restoration

Posted on by

USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Only Remaining Kellett XR-8 [Video]

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has completed restoration of the world’s only surviving Kellett XR-8 experimental helicopter after countless hours of work by talented volunteers.

Developed as a prototype for the USAAF in 1940s, the Kellett XR-8 tested the idea of stabilizing a helicopter by using dual offset horizontal rotors to eliminate the need to power a tail rotor. Nicknamed “Eggbeater,” the design used two intermeshing wooden propellers above the two person cabin. The XR-8 first flew on August 7, 1944. Though the XR-8 was a revolutionary design, the Kellett Aircraft Corporation encountered significant problems with stability control and timing the rotors. The company modified the vertical stabilizers in an attempt to resolve some of these issues. Because of these and other complications, Kellett only produced two XR-8s before cancelling the program.

An official photo shoot was carried out on Monday. Plans call for the machine to be placed by the Vertijet in the museum’s R&D Gallery this October. The fabric covering on the left side of the fuselage has been removed to showcase interior views.

Check out a video showing the restoration process and final product below.

Continue reading USAF Museum Completes Restoration of Only Remaining Kellett XR-8 [Video]

Posted on by

Promo Video Released For Upcoming WW1 Dawn Patrol Rendezvous

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio has released the first promotional video for the upcoming 2018 Dawn Patrol Rendezvous air show.

The event, offered every other year by the museum and the Great War Aeroplanes Association, will reportedly feature flights of reduced and full-scale replica WWI aircraft, WWI living history re-enactors in a war encampment area, radio-controlled model aircraft, period vehicles, music and a collector’s show of WWI era items. The event will also include guest speakers on WWI topics as well as many family hands-on and educational activities.

Continue reading Promo Video Released For Upcoming WW1 Dawn Patrol Rendezvous