posted 05-20-2018 09:02 PM               

F5D Skylancer to return to Armstrong Air & Space Museum

The Armstrong Air & Space Museum is preparing for the return of the beloved F5D Skylancer airplane, which has been undergoing restoration in Copley, Ohio since September 2017. The airplane's arrival is expected May 23.

The museum has planned a homecoming event for Thursday, May 24, from 4-6pm. Curator Brittany Venturella will discuss the aircraft's restoration at 4:30. Refreshments and desserts will be served.

The Skylancer has been a fixture outside the museum since it opened on July 20, 1972. The Skylancer's exterior is now painted as it was when Neil Armstrong flew the plane for NASA during the Dyna-Soar Program. The biggest change is the number on the aircraft, formerly featuring 802.

"Thomarios and ICA have done a wonderful job in transforming the plane back into NASA 213," Brittany Venturella, the museum's curator, said. "From removing layers of paint on the plane's exterior to stabilizing and cleaning the cockpit elements, we have discovered new information that allows us to better share the Skylancer's story." Working with Ohio History Connection, Venturella has assisted in facilitating the F5D Skylancer move and was involved with the restoration process.

Restoration work of the plane's exterior was performed by Thomarios, based in Copley, Ohio, under the direction of the Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA). ICA coordinated the restoration of the Skylancer in conjunction with the Ohio History Connection. This is the first of many projects that will begin the museum's preparation for the 50th anniversary celebration.

In 2017, NASA transferred ownership of the Skylancer to the Ohio History Connection, which ensures that the Skylancer will be a permanent part of the Armstrong Air & Space Museum. Before this, the Skylancer had been on long-term loan from NASA since 1972.

"The Skylancer is a remarkable example of Ohio's contribution to our country's aeronautical history," said Burt Logan, Ohio History Connection Executive Director & CEO. "We're glad to welcome this aircraft back to Wapakoneta on the heels of the 50th anniversary of the first manned lunar landing, and we look forward to sharing its story with generations to come."

About the Skylancer

Only four F5D Skylancers were produced. With only two of the initial F5D Skylancers intact, this is one of the world's rarest planes. "We are fortunate to have found a local team able to restore this 60-year-old plane so that future generations can experience an experimental aircraft flown by Neil Armstrong," said Chris Burton, executive director of the Armstrong Air & Space Museum. Neil Armstrong flew the Skylancer during the Dyna-Soar Program. Dyna-Soar, or Dynamic Soarer, was a short-lived project to build manned, reusable space planes that predated the manned Mercury flights. Armstrong was instrumental in developing an aborted launch maneuver using the Skylancer.

posted 05-24-2018 11:33 AM               

The restored Douglas F5D Skylancer flown by Neil Armstrong has been returned to its pedestal outside the museum.

posted 08-04-2020 07:54 PM               

The first Learjet 28 Longhorn (Serial Number 28-001) is scheduled to arrive in the National Aviation Heritage Area at the Neil Armstrong Airport on Wednesday morning [Aug. 5] on what would have been Armstrong's 90th birthday.

The prototype Learjet was the only plane in which Armstrong set records outside of space. In 1979, when he was a professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Neil Armstrong and Learjet test pilot Pete Reynolds set five Fédération Aéronautique Internationale and National Aeronautic Association class records for time to climb to an altitude and altitude while flying the Learjet prototype aircraft.

The jet's final destination, after being on exhibit at the airport, will be the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.

The Armstrong Air & Space Museum Association will be "flying in" our newest artifact on August 5th, Neil Armstrong’s 90th birthday!

While the landing is a private event with limited access, guests will be able to watch the Learjet 28 Longhorn fly over the museum at approximately 10:00 AM (weather permitting.)

Armstrong set several world records in the aircraft in 1979. For the jet's final flight, another Ohio astronaut, (Colonel, USAF, RET.) Greg H. Johnson will be co-piloting the craft to Neil Armstrong Airport. After the plane is accessioned into the collection and enough funds are raised for display costs, the jet will be transported to the grounds of the Armstrong Air & Space Museum!

Excited to fly tomorrow's [Aug. 5] flight on the Lear28 first flown by Neil Armstrong in 1970. He set five world records including minimum time to climb and maximum altitude (51K) in class. Lear 28-001 will have its final flight tomorrow, donated to the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.