Abrams Explorer Drawings

To view items in this collection, use the Online Finding Aid

This collection consists of over 260 blueprints of the Abrams Explorer.

The Abrams Explorer, built in 1937, was the only one ever created and was uniquely designed for aerial survey and mapping functions. By featuring obstruction-free camera platforms, Abrams Aircraft CEO Dr. Talbert Abrams planned to market the plane to the United States armed forces for surveys, mapmaking, and aerial photography. The aircraft was successfully tested and used for government contract survey work until the beginning of the war when the military opted for more survivable, converted high-speed fighter aircraft for photo reconnaissance. Dr. Abrams lent the Abrams Explorer to the National Air Museum in 1948, and it was officially donated in 1973.

Identifier

NASM.2018.0079

Creator

Abrams Aircraft Corp

Date

1937

Provenance

Barbara Brown, Gift, 2018, NASM.2018.0079.

Extent

1.28 Cubic feet (1 container)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of over 260 blueprints of the Abrams Explorer.

Arrangement note

No arrangement.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.

Restrictions

No restrictions on access

Citation

Abrams Explorer Drawings, NASM.2018.0079, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Aeronautics

Abrams Explorer

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Technical drawings

One museum, two locations

At the museum and online

Dive deep into air and space

For teachers and parents

Be the spark

Abrams Explorer Drawings

National Air and Space Museum

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Visit

One museum, two locations

What's On

At the museum and online

Explore

Dive deep into air and space

Learn

For teachers and parents

Give

Be the spark

Abrams Explorer Drawings

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National Air and Space Museum

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center