Like most museums, the San Diego Air & Space Museum relies on public support. Sometimes the support is financial, other times it is by people visiting the Museum.

But community involvement takes many forms. The San Diego Air & Space Museum operates the original wing rib jig used by Ryan aircraft builders to create the iconic aircraft that carried Charles Lindbergh on the first solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927.

To create the wing ribs, the Museum uses only original materials -- aircraft spruce, period-correct laminated plywood, etc -- on a 90-year-old jig. The materials trickle all the way down to the tiny finish nails, which date from 1927 and are practically impossible to find in the current century. The Museum has tried various sources, but the original brass brads are long out of production.

A casual mention of this on the internet brought a surprising result. A museum supporter, Raymond Paul Moats, a retired aircraft builder living in South Carolina, piped in, saying, “Somewhere in my garage, I have some of those!”

Much to our great appreciation, the Museum received a vital “care package” in the mail in February from Mr. Moats -- two sacks of the exact finish nails the Museum has used for 30 years. The number of finish nails will allow the Museum to complete another 15 to 20 “Spirit of St. Louis” wing ribs.

Many thanks to Mr. Moats for his support and for keeping this important art form alive!