Heroes of the Sky: Adventures in Early Flight, 1903–1939

Courage, ambition, and ingenuity sustained a fledgling industry during the birth of modern air travel.

Heroes of the Sky: Adventures in Early Flight, 1903-1939 relates the stories of fliers, businessmen, and inventors from the first 40 years of aviation. In a few short decades, their determination and vision transformed airplanes from the novel inventions of tinkerers into sophisticated machines of transportation, commerce, and war.

Using historic artifacts, photographs, multimedia, and large interactive panels,Heroes of the Sky introduces visitors to the inventors and entrepreneurs who had the vision to see manned flight as more than a simple curiosity. From the barnstormers and record breakers who pushed the limits of what the new machines could do to the explorers who saw airplanes as a means toward expanding our understanding of the world, adults and children will marvel in the pioneering spirit of these brave men and women. The Wright Brothers, Henry Ford, Donald Douglas, Glenn Curtiss, Jimmy Doolittle, Bessie Coleman, and Admiral Richard Byrd are just a few of the featured adventurers. Along with many others, they are heroes in the story of early flight.

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Availability

Heroes of the Sky toured February 2005–August 2008.

This exhibition has completed its tour and is no longer in circulation. This page is for archival reference only.

  • February 3–March 10, 2005 Barrington Area Historical Museum
    Barrington, IL     booked
  • March 25–June 19, 2005 Sedalia Chamber of Commerce
    Sedalia, MO     booked
  • July 5–August 16, 2005 Dawson County Historical Society
    Lexington, NE     booked
  • September 1–October 5, 2005 Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum
    Arkansas City, KS     booked
  • October 21–December 1, 2005 Grout Museum District
    Waterloo, IA     booked
  • December 15, 2005–January 19, 2006 Strategic Air and Space Museum
    Ashland, NE     booked
  • February 3–March 10, 2006 Hill Aerospace Museum
    Hill Air Force Base, UT     booked
  • March 25–April 20, 2006 Mid America Air Museum
    Liberal, KS     booked
  • May 15–June 20, 2006 Museum of Aviation and Technology Center
    Warner Robins, GA     booked
  • July 5–August 16, 2006 Gateway National Recreation Area
    Staten Island, NY     booked
  • September 1–October 5, 2006 Orange County Regional History Center
    Orlando, FL     booked
  • October 21–November 30, 2006 Sun 'n Fun Fly-In
    Lakeland, FL     booked
  • December 15, 2006–January 19, 2007 Rockford Museum Center
    Rockford, IL     booked
  • February 3–April 30, 2007 Kern County Museum
    Bakersfield, CA     booked
  • May 15–June 20, 2007 Refurbishment
    Kansas City, MO     booked
  • July 5–August 16, 2007 National Airline History Museum
    Kansas City, MO     booked
  • September 1–October 5, 2006 Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation
    Thermopolis, WY     booked
  • October 21, 2007–January 19, 2008 Silent Wings Museum
    Lubbock, TX     booked
  • February 3–April 30, 2008 College Park Aviation Museum
    College Park, MD     booked
  • May 15–August 16, 2008 City of Wapakoneta
    Wapakoneta, OH     booked

Exhibition Details & Specifications

  • Curated By

  • Organized By

  • Content

  • Duration

    5-week display

  • Rental Fee

  • Grant

  • Support

  • Shipping:

  • Security

  • Square Feet

  • Number of Crates/Total Weight

  • Insurance