National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Visit: Early Years Gallery Display Brings Us Back to Earth

By Fred Harl

Our visit to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force included a brief stop at the Early Years Gallery to reflect on just how far aviation has come in the last century.  Aircraft  from a variety of countries are featured, making the point that the U.S. was not the leading aircraft producer in the first two decades of flight.  Balloons, the Wright Brothers, World War I era aircraft and B-10 and P-26 monoplanes from the 1930s are featured.  Here is a peek at the collection to hold you until you make your next visit:

Wright 1909 Flyer (1955 Reproduction)

Curtiss 1911 Model D

 



SPAD VII

SPAD XIII C.1

Avro 504K

Nieuport 28

Sopwith F-1 Camel

Halberstadt CL IV

Caquot Type R Observation Balloon

DeHavilland DH-4

Caproni Ca. 36

Packard LePere LUSAC 11

Martin MB-2

Curtiss P-6E Hawk

Boeing P-26A Peashooter

Douglas O-38F

Martin B-10