The San Diego Air & Space Museum is famously known for its unique full-size airplane collection. In order to give representation to so many aircraft produced since the early 1900s, the Museum also houses a tremendous collection of scale-model aircraft – some built onsite, and some donated. One of the most interesting models in the Museum's collection is a 1/48 scale model of
In World War Two, some German aces carried special walking sticks to show off their aviation prowess. This sticks had markings denoting their combat "kills" and were called “Victory Sticks." These sticks were common in the First World War and any self-respecting German ace had one at his side whenever a camera was pointed in his direction. A few German pilot's carried this tradition into the Second World War, and the San Diego Air and Space Museum has one of these very rare Victory Sticks on display in our World War Two Eagle Squadron exhibit. The story behind this artifact is very compelling!
Seeing an opportunity in the steadily improving field of unmanned aerial systems (UASs), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) became interested in integrating drones into their energy network. In 2014, the company became one of the first to be certified by the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) to test UASs in a utility setting, and launching their UAS program in 2015.
Beginning with the Wright Brothers first successful aircraft in 1903, there has been a need for training pilots without risking the pilots lives and an aircraft in the process. In 1910, the French commanders Clolus and Laffont and Lieutenant Clavenad, built the first aircraft ground training device, the "Tonneau Antoinette" (Antoinette barrel). Thus, began the precursor of flight trainers and ultimately simulators. A flight trainer is a ground-based device that mimics aircraft flight. The most successful early flight trainer was the “Link Trainer”, produced by Edwin Link in Binghamton, New York, starting in 1929. The Link Trainer is a basic metal frame flight trainer usually painted in its well-known blue color.
Recently, the San Diego Air & Space Museum received a donation of Louis James Hector’s service trunk. This unique artifact contains WWII related memorabilia including his flight log, silk maps, photographs, medals, his caps and uniform pieces, aircraft manuals and correspondence.
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The San Diego Air & Space Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Federal Tax ID Number 95-2253027.
