In support of an official event 

The Museum will be closed Sunday, May 25
In addition, the Fourth Hangar will be closed Saturday, May 24

Access to the Presidential Gallery will be limited from May 15 to June 5
 

Fact Sheet Alphabetical List

Fact Sheet Search

  • Caproni Ca. 36

    During World War I, Italian aeronautical engineer Gianni Caproni developed a series of multi-engine heavy bombers that played a key role in the Allied strategic bombing campaign. His bombers were produced not only in Italy, but also in France and the United States.In late 1914 Caproni designed the

  • Caquot Type R Observation Balloon

    Please Note: The Caquot Type R Observation Balloon is no longer structurally sound to be suspended on exhibit but remains in our study collection in storage. There are no plans to return this to public display. Tethered balloons allowed World War I observers to see as far as 40 miles behind enemy

  • Curtiss JN-4D Jenny

    The Curtiss Jenny stands alone as the United States’ most iconic World War I (WWI) training aircraft. Primarily a flight trainer, some Jennies had machine guns and bomb racks mounted for advanced training. The JN series featured a combination of the best attributes of the Curtiss "J" and "N" models.

  • Conquering the Sky: Dec. 17, 1903

    Pictured is the take-off of the 1903 Wright Flyer on the world's first powered, sustained and controlled heavier-than-air flight on Dec. 17, 1903, at Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Piloted by Orville Wright, the airplane remained aloft for 12 seconds and flew a distance of 120 feet in a straight line.After

  • Charles E. Taylor (1868-1956): The First Aviation Mechanic

    Charlie Taylor was a brilliant, self-taught mechanic who made a crucial contribution to the Wright brothers' invention of the airplane. When a suitable engine was not available for the first flight, he designed and built the first successful airplane engine in only six weeks. This made the Wright

  • Creation of the Aeronautical Division

    On Aug. 1, 1907, at the recommendation of Maj. George O. Squier, Brig. Gen. James Allen, Chief Signal Officer (1906-1913) of the U.S. Army, established the Aeronautical Division under his office, placing Capt. Charles D. Chandler in command. He tasked this embryonic organization with "all matters

  • Cpl. Edward Ward: First Enlisted Airman

    Corporal Edward “Eddie” Ward’s leadership, talent, and technical skills played an essential part in creating American air power. Ward’s service embodies the critical role played by the millions of enlisted Airmen who followed him.In July 1907, the Army sent Ward and PFC Joseph Barrett to learn the

  • Controllable Balloons: Dirigibles

    From the beginning, the usefulness of the balloon depended upon giving it "dirigibility" or directional control -- without it, balloons could only drift with the wind. Although the U.S. Army did not buy its first dirigible until 1908, the technology had existed for more than 50 years.In 1852 Henri

  • Curtiss V2-3

    In 1916 and 1917 Curtiss produced R-3 and R-4 airplanes for the U.S. Army Signal Corps, some of which the 1st Aero Squadron used during the Mexican Punitive Expedition. The Curtiss V2-3 engine, rated at 200 hp, powered both those airplanes; however, it had a poor power to weight ratio -- almost four

  • Curtiss OX-5

    Thousands of OX-5 water-cooled engines were produced in the United States during World War I, primarily for the Curtiss Jenny airplane. The engine, a refinement of a 1914 design, was rated at only 90 hp. Compared to other airplane engines of the period, it was very reliable. Some OX-5 engines are