17972
photo by Jim Fitzgerald courtesy of Leland Haynes
The above photo was taken at the Farnborough Airshow in 1974, after she set the transatlantic speed record of 1:54:56. For more info on this record-breaking trip, and for 32 other terrific photos of the event, visit Leland Haynes' page.
The late Ben Rich poses in front of 972 at Lockheed's Palmdale facility
photo by Denny Lombard, courtesy Lockheed Martin
After setting a transcontinental record of 1:08:17 with pilot Col. Ed Yeilding and RSO Col. J.T. Vida, #972 was donated to the Smithsonian Institution at this post-flight ceremony at Dulles International Airport on Tuesday, March 6, 1990. She is now being housed in a temporary hangar while the Dulles Annex is being built.
Ed Marshall of the National Air & Space Museum logs the levels on the dehumidifier attached to 972. The humidity is adjusted 2 to 4 times a week to ensure the aircraft is preserved in the best possible condition. Dedication like this from Ed and others like him will allow our grandchildren to marvel at this engineering milestone just like we do today.
Click here for a short video of this lady on her final flight.
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