Large dirigible airships graced the skies for nearly four decades, from the turn of the century to the late thirties. During that period they were extensively used for both transportation and as as weapons of war.
The Museum's artifact collection houses a rare short snorter donated by the Distinguished Flying Cross Society (DFC) and is remarkably well preserved for its age.The name "short snorter" comes from the tradition that if you signed a short snorter and that person could not produce it upon request, they owed you a dollar or a drink (a “short snort”), or a drink that was less than a full shot, as alcohol and aviators did not mix well.
On August 8, 1927, 15 aircraft drew starting positions for the Dole Air Race from Oakland, California to Honolulu, Hawaii. By August 19, five aircraft were no longer competing, five crashed, three disappeared, and ten participants were dead. This is the story of the Dole Air Race. The San Diego Air and Space Museum has in in collection artifacts from this fateful race, a few of which are highlighted here.
To celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the famous Doolittle Raid, we are spotlighting an artifact that has a unique story that tells much about the state of the Second World War when the raid on Tokyo occurred.
On Nov. 11, 1935, Captain Albert W. Stevens and Captain Orvil A. Anderson broke the world altitude record when they reached 72,395 feet above the earth in the Explorer II balloon. The Museum's Curatorial collection holds a very unique artifact that tells the story of this audacious feat.
2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA
Phone: 619.234.8291
Información En Español
Contact Us
We would like to thank all our sponsors who help us make a difference. Click here to view all who help us.
The San Diego Air & Space Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Federal Tax ID Number 95-2253027.
