Monthly Archives: September 2012

Linda Shiner, Editor of Air & Space Smithsonian Magazine at Inaugural Presentation of the New Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy, Reno Air Races

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The charming Linda Shiner, Editor of Air & Space/Smithsonian Magazine was part of the inaugural presentation of the new Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy on the last day of the Reno Air Races, Sunday, September 16, 2012.

The six-foot trophy was on display at the Reno Race Invitation for Sunday’s trophy presentation and  then will be flown back to the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington DC where it will reside for another year.  The winner of the Trophy, Duncan Cameron of Lebanon, TN will have his name engraved on a plaque and placed on the trophy.  His beautiful 1944OY-1 Consolidated Vultee Stinson won the competition by meeting the “gold standard”  for restoring the aircraft to the manufacturer’s original condition with fellow restorer Tom Westfall .

The National Aviation Hall of Fame partnered with Rolls-Royce North America, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Reno Air Racing Foundation and many aviation related organizations to establish and support the National Aviation Heritage Invitational, which was created to foster the preservation of our rich aviation history by encouraging the restoration of vintage aircraft to airworthy condition.

We look forward to seeing next year’s competitors of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational at the Reno National Championship Air Races and Air Show!

Good Luck and God’s Speed to all who fly~

Kimberley West – WarBirdBabe

Many Legends, History Makers, Thrill Masters, Record Setters, and Aviation Preservationists in Attendance to Present the NAHI 2012 Awards at the Reno Races!

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The Aviation Heritage awards were lively, fun and I’m sure exciting for the recipients of the prestigious awards, especially the inaugural recipient of the newly named Neil A. Armstrong National Aviation Heritage Invitational Trophy which was presented to Duncan Cameron of Lebanon TN for his, and Tom Westfall’s wonderful restoration of a 1944 OY-1 Consolidated Vultee Stinson.

It was a privilege and honor to speak with the many Aviation Legends and Enshrinees whose individual passion for aviation has changed history and created many wonderful things and events we enjoy. Such as the preservation of Vintage Aircraft; the Reno Races; the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and Smithsonian Air & Space Magazine; the never-before-flown aircraft tested for design performance which ensured they could be flown safely by thousands of service men and women; the easy means by which we choose a flight, board and land at our destination in comfort; the airmen who flew dangerous missions to safeguard the lives our bombers, troops on the front lines, our country and engaged in air to air dog fights; those who have flown around the world without stopping, or refueling; those who make airplanes float in air, perform unimaginable maneuvers with grace, and thrill a crowd…

Here are just a few of the VIP’s in attendance who have changed the course of our aviation history and are, well, important, inspirational and legends – all of whom honored the man who first walked on the moon.

Kimberley West, WarBirdBabe

The Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy Unveiled Today at the Reno Races!

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The Board Members of the National Aviation Hall of Fame announced the Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy will be unveiled and presented to the Grand Champion of the 14th Annual National Aviation Heritage Invitational competition during the 2012 presentation ceremony which will be held today at the 2012 National Champion Air Races.

Ken Kaplan, Deputy Director of the NAHI and Enshrinement Director for the National Aviation Hall of Fame, noted that Neil Armstrong greatly admired the vintage aircraft which participated in the annual competition, “He always enjoyed personally presenting the trophies to the owners of the winning aircraft,” said Kaplan.  “Neil was proud to represent the Hall of Fame with his fellow Enshrinees, and delighted to be among fellow aviators and the fine vintage aircraft they lovingly restored.”

NAHI has held annual vintage aircraft competitions in both Dayton, Ohio and Reno, Nevada since 1999.  At each competition, the Grand Champion who’s aircraft has been judged to be the most authentic  example of a vintage aircraft restored to airworthy condition, has been awarded the Rolls-Royce  Aviation Heritage Trophy, which resides throughout the year at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington DC.

The National Aviation Hall of Fame partnered with Rolls-Royce North America, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the Reno Air Racing Foundation and many aviation related organizations to establish and support the National Aviation Heritage Invitational, which was created to foster the preservation of our rich aviation history by encouraging the restoration of vintage aircraft to airworthy condition.

The owners of the vintage aircracft were thrilled to have been presented the their well deserved trophy a Hall of Fame Enshrinee and especially the first man to walk on the moon.

We are all greatly saddened by the passing of Mr. Armstrong, a humble man, a national hero, a legend.

God’s Speed and thank you to all who love the beautiful vintage aircraft and those who make it possible for everyone to enjoy and admire the aircraft and especially those who flew them…

Kimberley West, Warbirdbabe

2011 Winner Bleriot XI, Chuck Wentwhorth