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On May 20-21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh literally flew into history when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean in his Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, thus becoming the first pilot to fly solo and nonstop from New York to Paris. This flight made Lindbergh a household name and catapulted him into fame and celebrity. The objects of popular culture in the National Collection display everything from ashtrays to wristwatches reflect the public adulation for Lindbergh and the powerful commercial response to his celebrity. More than 75 years after the Spirit's historic flight, Lindbergh's name still has the power help sell manufactured goods.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Type MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture Physical Description An all wood model airplane representation of the Spirit of St. Louis painted silver overall. The eight (8) engine cylinders on the nose are wood dowels with wire wrapped around them. The silver paint on the propeller is flaking off. The left and right windows on the fuselage are carved out sections and have been painted black as are the wood tires. The wood piece attached below the tail as a skid is partially broken and the tire is missing. The two wheels attached to the plane with a wood dowel turns. The various parts, wing, landing gear, struts etc… are attached to the fuselage with a variety of nails. The painted text on the left and right side of the nose reads "Spirit of St. Louis". On the top right wing panel in bold letters, made from black tape, is "NX 211" as is the "NX 211" on both sides of the vertical tail surface. Dimensions 3-D: 72.7 × 58.4 × 18.4cm (2 ft. 4 5/8 in. × 1 ft. 11 in. × 7 1/4 in.)
 Materials Wood
Copper Alloy
Ferrous Alloy
Adhesive
Paint
Plastic
 Inventory Number A20040289079 Credit Line Gift of the Stanley King Family. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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