National Aeronautics and Space Administration

GRADES

5-12

If These Airplanes Could Talk

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Museum

BOX
Series
www.nasa.gov

in a

history of flight

MUSEUM IN A BOX
(Photo courtesy of Courtesy of The National Museum of the United States Air Force)

If These Airplanes Could Talk

Lesson Overview
Through observation and information gathering skills, students will learn the proper way to read and interpret artifacts or museum exhibits. When gathering information, students must ask six questions - who?, what?, when?, where?, why? and how? - to get the information needed to fully understand what they are viewing. Though this lesson is tailored to aviation, the concepts can be applied to any type of exhibit or artifact that is on display. Note: We have provided photos and fact sheets in the Reference Materials section of four aircraft that are currently on display in a museum. These may be used if no museum exhibits are available.

Objectives
1. Students will gain a better understanding of the history of an artifact or museum exhibit. Through practice, students will also learn how to interpret other exhibits or artifacts they encounter in the future.

Materials:
Museum exhibits or the aircraft photos and fact sheets located in the Reference Materials section

GRADES

5-12

Time Requirements: 20 minutes per artifact

history of flight

Background
History of Aviation
For many thousands of years, man has looked at the sky and dreamt of flying. Evidence of this can be found in stories such as Daedalus from Greek mythology and Pushpaka Vimana of Ravana in Hindu mythology. The earliest known attempts to fly were made by fashioning wings, modeled after birds wings and strapping them to human arms. This method was unsuccessful but it did not deter people from continuing to attempt to fly. The kite was the first successful unmanned flying device and was invented in China around 400 BC. Kites work by generating lift, just as todays modern airplanes do. Devices that use this type of technology are referred to as heavier-than-air aircraft. About 100 years later in 300 BC, the Chinese invented the Kongming lantern (Img. 1). Kongming lanterns (also called paper lanterns) were constructed of a thin paper shell with a lamp or candle burning underneath. The heat from the lamp warmed the air in the bag which caused the lantern to rise. The Montgolfier Brothers expanded on this discovery in 1782 and built the worlds first hot air balloon, which works
(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License)

according to the same principles only on a larger scale. Kongming lanterns and hot air balloons both fly because gases, including air, become less dense when heated. The heated air in the balloon is lighter than the cooler, denser air outside of the balloon, and is therefore able to rise. Devices that use this technology are classified as lighter than-air aircraft. Throughout the centuries, people around the world studied

Img. 1 Kongming latern

(Photo courtesy of NASA - www.nasaimages.org)

flight and developed many different kinds of flying devices, including gliders made of lightweight wood, and airships, such as the Macon Airship (Img. 2). In 1485, Leonardo da Vinci designed a hang glider, called The Ornithopter, with fixed wings and some movable control surfaces. Although he never built the device, his design provided the basis for the modern day helicopter. During the early 19th century, several men made flying machines which used various technologies to power their aircraft, including electricity and steam.

Img. 2 Macon Airship

(Photo courtesy of The National Museum of the United States Air Force)

It wasnt until the early 20th Century that flight as we know it today emerged. Aircraft began to be made of

Img. 3 Reenactors in front of a replica Fokker Dr. I triplane

history of flight 3

MUSEUM IN A BOX

aluminum instead of wood and fabric. Aviators experimented with several types of wing structures, including monoplane, which means one set of wings, biplane, and triplane (Img.3). As they refined their designs, monoplanes were made with various wing designs and many control surfaces (ailerons, elevator, rudder, etc.; see Figure 1) were added and modified. In the years since the Wright Brothers first flight in a controlled, engine-powered aircraft, the distances we have been able to fly have increased dramatically, from the 120 feet of Orville and Wilburs Wright Flyer, to several thousand miles. By 1969 aircraft were taking man to the moon and todays longest-range passenger airplanes can fly half way around the world non-stop.
Nose Gear Propeller Fuselage
(body of the aircraft) (located inside the wing)

Vertical Stabilizer Navigation Light

MUSEUM IN A BOX
4

Rotating Beacon

Aileron

Elevator Trim Tab Rudder Radio Antenna Elevator

Fuel Tank

Engine

Flaps

Horizontal Stabilizer

Landing Gear

Navigation Light

Fig. 1 Parts of an airplane

Aircraft Identification
Every aircraft has a story. You can tell a lot about an aircraft by looking at the markings and inscriptions located on the fuselage and wings. Civilian aircraft have an alphanumeric registration number (Img. 4), which is similar to the license plate on an automobile. The alphanumeric markings for aircraft registered in the United States begin with the letter N. They are referred
(Photo courtesy of NASA - www.nasaimages.org)

to as tail numbers because they are usually displayed on the tail of the aircraft, although older aircraft had them displayed on

Img. 4 Civilian aircraft registration number

the underside of the wing so they could be read by someone on the ground whilst the aircraft was in flight. Military aircraft also have insignia on the fuselage, wings, or tail. This insignia identifies the nation or air force to which the aircraft belongs (Img. 5). Many military planes also have identification numbers similar to civilian aircraft. The first of such markings appeared in 1913.
(Photo courtesy of NASA - www.nasaimages.org)

Img. 5 Military aircraft insignia

history of flight

Activity 1

GRADES 5-12

Interpreting an Artifact

Time Requirement: 20 minutes per artifact

Materials:
Museum exhibits or the aircraft photos and fact sheets located in the Reference Materials section

Objective:
Students will gain a better
understanding of the history of
an artifact or museum exhibit.
Students will also learn how to
interpret other exhibits or artifacts

Worksheets
Artifacts (Worksheet 1)

that they encounter in the future.

Activity Overview:
While at an aviation museum, students will
view various aircraft and ask the questions
who?, what?, when?, where?, why?
and how? to gain a better understanding
of each aircrafts history.

(Photo courtesy of NASA www.nasaimages.org)

Reference Materials
1903 Wright Flyer (Fact Sheet 1) Fokker Dr. 1 (Fact Sheet 2) SR-71 (Fact Sheet 3) Boeing VC-137C (Fact Sheet 4)

Activity:
Prior to beginning this activity, provide the students with an oral summary of
the Background information or have the students read it themselves.
While at a museum, have the students view various aircraft and ask the questions who?, what?, when?, where?, why? and how? about each exhibit. Encourage the students to use their background knowledge and the context clues in the exhibit to infer what the answers to these questions might be before looking at the information provided by the museum. (Ex: If the plane has guns attached, it was probably used by a military.) If a museum is not available, have the students look at the photos and fact sheets provided in the Reference Materials section. Discuss the answers to each of the questions provided with your students. Be sure to check the validity of any deduced answers; this can be done by asking your museum guide, reviewing the information provided about the exhibit, or by performing additional independent research. The provided answers reference the aircraft included in the Reference Materials
section. Your answers will differ by exhibit.

Key Terms:
Biplane Fuselage High Wing Jet Engine Low Wing Monoplane Triplane

history of flight 5

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Discussion Points: Who:

Who developed the aircraft?
Who used the aircraft?
Who is associated with this aircraft? (country, group, or individual)

MUSEUM IN A BOX
6

What:
What was the function of the aircraft? (note any markings or inscriptions)
What materials are used? (wood, fabric, metal)
What style of wing design is used? (monoplane, biplane or triplane)
What type of wing placement does the aircraft have? (high wing, low wing)
What propulsion system does this aircraft use? (propeller or jet; single or multiple engines)

When:
When was the aircraft produced? When was the aircraft flown? When was the aircraft retired?

Where:
Where was the aircraft produced? Where was the aircraft registered? Where was the aircraft used?

Why:
Why would a museum keep this airplane?
Why is this airplane important to local, regional, national or international history?

How:
How was it used?

history of flight

Who:
Who developed the aircraft? The Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright Who used the aircraft? The Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur Wright Who is associated with this aircraft? (country, group, or individual) Orville and Wilbur Wright, from the United States of America; further research indicates they were from Dayton, Ohio

When:
When was the aircraft produced? 1903 When was the aircraft used? 1903 When was the aircraft retired? Unknown from the data provided; further research shows it was damaged beyond repair on the same day of its inaugural flight, Dec 17, 1903

Where:
Where was the aircraft produced? Unknown from the data provided; further research indicates it was built in the Wright Brothers bicycle shop in Dayton, OH Where was the aircraft registered? This aircraft was never registered; it was built before the registration system was established Where was the aircraft flown? Kittyhawk, NC

What:
What was the function of the aircraft? (note any markings or inscriptions) To become the worlds first successful powered heavier-than-air flying machine; to contribute to furthering the science of aviation What materials are used? (wood, fabric, metal) The airframe was made of wood with muslin fabric covering the wings; the engine crankcase was aluminum What style of wing design is used? (monoplane, biplane or triplane) Biplane What type of wing placement does the aircraft have? (high wing, low wing) N/A What propulsion system does this aircraft use? (propeller or jet; single or multiple engines) Single combustion engine; 12-horsepower Wright horizontal four cylinder engine with twin propellers

Why:
Why would a museum keep this airplane? It was the first powered airplane to fly Why is this airplane important to local, regional, national or international history? It was used for the first flight in the world

How:
How was it used? It was used as a test plane, flown in a dirt field several times over the course of one day (December 17, 1903)

history of flight 7

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Answers for 1903 Wright Flyer

Answers for Fokker Dr. 1

MUSEUM IN A BOX
8

Who:
Who developed the aircraft? Fokker; further research indicates Fokker was a Dutch aircraft manufacturer named after its founder, Anthony Fokker Who used the aircraft? The German army during WWI Who is associated with this aircraft? (country, group, or individual) Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron) is well known for winning many dogfights using this plane during WWI

When:
When was the aircraft produced? The first of these planes were produced in 1917 When was the aircraft used? 1917 - 1918 When was the aircraft retired? Circa 1918

Where:
Where was the aircraft produced? Unknown from the data provided; further research indicates the company that built it, Fokker, started in Schwerin, Germany in 1912, and moved to the Netherlands in 1919 Where was the aircraft registered? This aircraft was never registered; it was built before the registration system was established Where was the aircraft flown? On the Western Front and elsewhere during WWI

What:
What was the function of the aircraft? (note any markings or inscriptions) It was a fighter plane in WWI; the Iron Cross symbols indicate that it is a German plane What materials are used? (wood, fabric, metal) Unable to determine based on information provided; further research indicates it was made from fabric covered steel tubes What style of wing design is used? (monoplane, biplane or triplane) Triplane What type of wing placement does the aircraft have? (high wing, low wing) N/A What propulsion system does this aircraft use? (propeller or jet; single or multiple engines) Single combustion engine with a propeller

Why:
Why would a museum keep this airplane? It is a replica of a very famous type of plane used in World War I and one of a very few types of biplane ever built Why is this airplane important to local, regional, national or international history? It helped the Germans fight in WWI

How:
How was it used? In military battles

history of flight

Who:
Who developed the aircraft? Lockheed Aircraft Corporation Who used the aircraft? The U.S. Air Force Who is associated with this aircraft? (country, group, or individual) Maj. Jerome F. OMalley and Maj. Edward D. Payne

When:
When was the aircraft produced? Unknown from the data provided; these aircraft first entered service in 1966 When was the aircraft used? 1966 - 1998 When was the aircraft retired? U.S. Air Force retired its fleet of SR-71s on Jan. 26, 1990

Where:
Where was the aircraft produced? Unknown from the data provided; further research indicates it was built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation at The Skunkworks in Palmdale, California Where was the aircraft registered? The United States of America Where was the aircraft flown? The aircraft was used world-wide

What:
What was the function of the aircraft? (note any markings or inscriptions) To fly long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance missions (reconnaissance flights are flown for information-gathering and surveying purposes) What materials are used? (wood, fabric, metal) Unable to determine based on information provided, though the photo indicates it is made mostly of metal What style of wing design is used? (monoplane, biplane or triplane) Monoplane What type of wing placement does the aircraft have? (high wing, low wing) Low wing What propulsion system does this aircraft use? (propeller or jet; single or multiple engines) Multiple jet engines; Two Pratt & Whitney J58s with 32,500lbs. of thrust each with afterburner

Why:
Why would a museum keep this airplane? Throughout its nearly 24-year career, the SR-71 remained the worlds fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft.; it also set records for speed and altitude Why is this airplane important to local, regional, national or international history? It helped the U.S. military gather information about their enemies

How:
How was it used? In military reconnaissance missions

history of flight 9

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Answer for Lockheed SR-71A

Answer for Boeing VC-137C (Boeing 707)

MUSEUM IN A BOX
10

Who:
Who developed the aircraft? Boeing Aircraft Corporation Who used the aircraft? Several U.S. Presidents, diplomats and other dignitaries and officials Who is associated with this aircraft? (country, group, or individual) The United States, specifically the President of the United States and the U.S. Airforce

When:
When was the aircraft produced? 1962 When was the aircraft used? 1962 - 1998 When was the aircraft retired? 1998

Where:
Where was the aircraft produced? At the Boeing factory in Renton, Washington Where was the aircraft registered? The United States of America Where was the aircraft flown? World-wide

What:
What was the function of the aircraft? (note any markings or inscriptions) To fly the President of the United States and other government officials What materials are used? (wood, fabric, metal) Unable to determine based on information provided, though the photos indicate it is made mostly of metal What style of wing design is used? (monoplane, biplane or triplane) Monoplane What type of wing placement does the aircraft have? (high wing, low wing) Low wing What propulsion system does this aircraft use? (propeller or jet; single or multiple engines) Multiple jet engines; Four Pratt & Whitney TF33 (JT3D-3B) turbofans with 18,000 lbs. thrust each

Why:
Why would a museum keep this airplane? It was the first airplane made specifically for use by the President of the United States Why is this airplane important to local, regional, national or international history? It was the first airplane built specifically for Presidential use and it was flown on many historic journeys, such as returning John F. Kennedys body to Washington after his assassination in 1963

How:
How was it used? It was used to transport the President, diplomats and other dignitaries and officials

history of flight

SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Understandings about scientific inquiry

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Properties and changes of properties in matter

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Abilities of technological design Understanding about science and technology

NATIONAL SCIENCE STANDARDS 9-12

SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry Understandings about scientific inquiry

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Structure and properties of matter Interactions of energy and matter

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Abilities of technological design Understanding about science and technology

history of flight 11

MUSEUM IN A BOX

NATIONAL SCIENCE STANDARDS 5-8

MUSEUM IN A BOX

12

Reference Materials

Fact Sheet 1

1903 Wright Flyer

MUSEUM IN A BOX
14

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License)

Img. 6 The Wright Brothers First Flight; December 17, 1903

Summary:
The Wright brothers inaugurated the aerial age with the worlds first successful flights of a powered heavier-than-air flying machine. The Wright Flyer was the product of a sophisticated four-year program of research and development conducted by Wilbur and Orville Wright beginning in 1899. After building and testing three full-sized gliders, the Wrights first powered airplane flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, making a 12-second flight, traveling 36 m (120 ft), with Orville piloting. The best flight of the day, with Wilbur at the controls, covered 255.6 m (852 ft) in 59 seconds. The Wrights pioneered many of the basic tenets and techniques of modern aeronautical engineering, such as the use of a wind tunnel and flight testing as design tools. Their seminal accomplishment encompassed not only the breakthrough first flight of an airplane, but also the equally important achievement of establishing the foundation of aeronautical engineering. Date: 1903 Country of Origin: United States of America Dimensions: Wingspan: 12.3 m (40 ft 4 in) Length: 6.4 m (21 ft 1 in) Height: 2.8 m (9 ft 4 in) Weight: Empty, 274 kg (605 lb) / Gross, 341 kg (750 lb Materials: Airframe: Wood / Fabric Covering: Muslin Engine Crankcase: Aluminum Physical Description: Canard biplane with one 12-horsepower Wright horizontal four-cylinder engine driving two pusher propellers via sprocket-and-chain transmission system. No wheels; skids for landing gear. Natural fabric finish; no sealant or paint of any kind.

Content from The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

(Photo courtesy of The National Museum of the United States Air Force)

Img. 10 1917 Fokker Dr. 1

Summary:
Few aircraft have received the attention given the Fokker Dr. I triplane. Often linked with the career of World War Is highest scoring ace, Germanys Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron), the nimble Dr. I earned a reputation as one of the best dogfighters of the war. The German air force ordered the Fokker Dr. I in the summer of 1917, after the earlier success of the British Sopwith triplane. The first Dr. I planes appeared over the Western Front in August 1917. Pilots were impressed with its agility, and several scored victories with the highly maneuverable triplane. Von Richthofen score 19 of his last 21 victories were achieved while he was flying the Dr. I. By May 1918, however, the Dr. I was being replaced by the newer and faster Fokker D. VII. Although Fokker built a total of 320 of these aircraft, none have survived. This reproduction is painted to
Content from The National Museum of the United States Air Force

represent the aircraft flown by Lt. Arthur Rahn in April 1918 when he served with Jagdstaffel 19. Lt. Rahn is credited with six confirmed victories. The aircraft was placed on display in April 1994. Armament: Two 7.92mm Spandau LMG 08/15 machine guns Engine: Oberursel Ur II of 110 hp or LeRhone of 110 hp Maximum speed: 103 mph Range: 185 miles Ceiling: 19,685 ft. Span: 23 ft. 7 in. Length: 18 ft. 11 in. Height: 9 ft. 8 in. Weight: 891 lbs. empty; 1,291 lbs. loaded

MUSEUM IN A BOX
15

Fact Sheet 2

Fokker Dr. 1

Fact Sheet 3

Lockheed SR-71A

MUSEUM IN A BOX
16

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License)

Img. 11 Lockheed SR-71A

Summary:
The SR-71, unofficially known as the Blackbird, is a long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft developed from the Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A aircraft. The first flight of an SR-71 took place on Dec. 22, 1964, and the first SR-71 to enter service was delivered to the 4200th (later 9th) Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale Air Force Base, Calif., in January 1966. The U.S. Air Force retired its fleet of SR-71s on Jan. 26, 1990, because of a decreasing defense budget and high costs of operation. Throughout its nearly 24-year career, the SR-71 remained the worlds fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft. From 80,000 feet, it could survey 100,000 square miles of Earths surface per hour. On July 28, 1976, an SR-71 set two world records for its class -- an absolute speed record of 2,193.167 mph and an absolute altitude record of 85,068.997 feet. On March 21, 1968, in the aircraft on display, Maj. (later Gen.) Jerome F. OMalley and Maj. Edward D. Payne made the first operational SR-71 sortie. During its career, this

aircraft accumulated 2,981 flying hours and flew 942 total sorties (more than any other SR-71), including 257 operational missions, from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., Palmdale, Calif., Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and RAF (Base), Mildenhall, England. The aircraft was flown to the museum in March 1990. Armament: None Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney J58s of 32,500 lbs. thrust each with afterburner Crew: Two Maximum speed: Mach 3+ (three times the speed of sound) or over 2,000 mph Range: More than 2,900 statute miles Ceiling: Over 85,000 ft. Span: 55 ft. 7 in. Length: 107 ft. 5 in. Height: 18 ft. 6 in. Weight: 140,000 lbs. loaded Serial number: 61-7976
Content from The National Museum of the United States Air Force

(Photo courtesy of The National Museum of the United States Air Force)

Img. 12 SAM 26000, a Boeing VC-137C landing at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH

Summary:
This U.S. Air Force Boeing VC-137C aircraft (civilian designation 707-320B) was the first jet made specifically for use by the President of the United States. Built in 1962, it served many presidents over three decades, carrying heads of state, diplomats and other dignitaries and officials on many historic journeys. Popularly known as SAM 26000 (Special Air Mission; tail number 26000), the aircraft has also been called Air Force One -- though this designation was used officially only when the president was aboard. During the 1950s, the call sign of the presidential aircraft was the prefix SAM followed by the aircrafts tail number, and the name Air Force One was later chosen to ensure there was no question as to where the presidents aircraft was and whether the president was aboard. Because President Kennedy did not name his aircraft as had former presidents, the news media popularized the call sign Air Force One as this aircrafts name. On Oct. 10, 1962, VC-137C number 26000 entered USAF service directly from the Boeing assembly line in

Renton, Wash. President Kennedy had the aircraft painted in striking blue and white instead of the usual military colors to give it a distinctive look. The title United States of America was emblazoned on the fueselage and an American flag was painted on the tail. This aircraft carried eight presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton. In December 1972 another Boeing 707-320, aircraft 27000, became the primary presidential aircraft and 26000 became a back-up, flying vice presidents and other high-ranking government officials. In 1990 SAM 26000 left the presidential fleet, but it continued to fly government officials, including Secretary of State James Baker. Prior to the 1991 Gulf War, he went abroad in 26000 for talks with Iraqi leaders about removing their troops from Kuwait. SAM 26000 flew President Kennedy to Berlin in 1963, where he declared to West Berliners, Ich bin ein Berliner, assuring them of continuing United States support in Continued >>

MUSEUM IN A BOX
17

Fact Sheet 4

Boeing VC-137C (Boeing 707)

Fact Sheet 4 Continued

<< Continued the face of Communist threats and the construction of the Berlin Wall. Kennedy also flew aboard SAM 26000 to Dallas, Texas, where he was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963 -- and it was on this airplane that Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the new president. SAM 26000 then carried John F. Kennedys body and President Johnson back to Washington, D.C. Johnson also used 26000 to visit U.S. troops in Vietnam during the Southeast Asia War. Beginning in 1970, President Nixons national security advisor, Dr. Henry Kissinger, used the aircraft for 13 trips to Paris, France, for secret meetings with the North Vietnamese. In February 1972 President Nixon flew aboard SAM 26000 on his historic Journey for Peace to the Peoples Republic of China (the first visit by an American president to China). In May 1972 SAM 26000 carried Nixon to the Soviet Union. In October 1981 the aircraft flew Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter, and former Secretary of State Dr. Kissinger to the funeral of the slain Egyptian president Anwar Sadat. In March 1983 Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom flew on SAM26000 during her trip to the United States when she visited the West Coast. At a nationally televised event in May 1998, the USAF retired SAM 26000 at the museum. This aircraft provided 36 years of service and accumulated more than 13,000 flying hours.
Content from The National Museum of the United States Air Force (Photo courtesy of Courtesy of The National Museum of the United States Air Force)

MUSEUM IN A BOX
18

Img. 13 SAM 26000 on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH

Maximum speed: 604 mph Ceiling: Above 43,000 ft. Range: 6,000+ miles Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney TF33 (JT3D-3B) turbofans of 18,000 lbs. thrust each Load: 40 passengers or 26,200 lbs. of cargo Crew: 7 or 8

Fig. 1 Parts of an airplane

Vertical Stabilizer Rotating Beacon

Navigation Light Aileron Elevator Trim Tab

Rudder Radio Antenna Elevator

(located inside the wing)

Fuel Tank

Engine

Flaps

Horizontal Stabilizer

Propeller

Fuselage
(body of the aircraft)

Landing Gear

Nose Gear

Navigation Light

19

MUSEUM IN A BOX

MUSEUM IN A BOX
20

Glossary
Biplane: An airplane with two pairs of wings stacked vertically on top of each other Control Surface: Attached to the wings and tail, these moveable parts are used for steering or controlling an aircraft (example: ailerons, elevator, rudder) Fuselage: The main body of an aircraft where the wings and tail are attached High Wing: The design of an airplane where the wings are level with or above the top of the fuselage Jet Engine: An engine design which use turbines to create thrust Low Wing: The design of an airplane where the wings are attached to the center or bottom half of the fuselage Monoplane: An airplane with one main set of wings Triplane: An airplane with three vertically stacked wings

Student Worksheets

Worksheet 1
Artifact Name:

Artifacts

MUSEUM IN A BOX
22

Who:
Who developed the aircraft?

Who used the aircraft?

Who is associated with this aircraft? (country, group, or individual)

What:
What was the function of the aircraft? (note any markings or inscriptions)

What materials are used? (wood, fabric, metal)

What style of wing design is used? (monoplane, biplane or triplane)

What type of wing placement does the aircraft have? (high wing, low wing)

What propulsion system does this aircraft use? (propeller or jet; single or multiple engines)

When:
When was the aircraft produced?

When was the aircraft used?

When was the aircraft retired?

Where:
Where was the aircraft produced?

Where was the aircraft registered?

Where was the aircraft flown?

Why:
Why would a museum keep this airplane?

Why is this airplane important to local, regional, national or international history?

How:
How was it used?

MUSEUM IN A BOX
23

Worksheet 1 Continued

MUSEUM IN A BOX

24

Images

history of flight
25

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Img. 1 Kongming latern

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License)

MUSEUM IN A BOX

26

Img. 2 Macon Airship

(Photo courtesy of NASA - www.nasaimages.org)

27

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Img. 3 Reenactors in front of a replica Fokker Dr. I triplane

(Photo courtesy of The National Museum of the United States Air Force)

MUSEUM IN A BOX

28

Img. 4 Civilian aircraft registration number

(Photo courtesy of NASA - www.nasaimages.org)

29

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Img. 5 Military aircraft insignia

(Photo courtesy of NASA - www.nasaimages.org)

MUSEUM IN A BOX

30

Img. 6 The Wright Brothers First Flight; December 17, 1903

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License)

31

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Img. 7 The Wright Brothers 1903 aircraft, the Wright Flyer, in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

(Photo courtesy of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)

MUSEUM IN A BOX

32

Img. 8 The Wright Brothers 1903 aircraft, the Wright Flyer, in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License)

33

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Img. 9 The 1903 Wright Flyer in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, May 1982

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License)

MUSEUM IN A BOX

34

Img. 10 1917 Fokker Dr. 1

(Photo courtesy of The National Museum of the United States Air Force)

35

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Img. 11 Lockheed SR-71A

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia, GNU Free Documentation License)

MUSEUM IN A BOX

36

Img. 12 SAM 26000, a Boeing VC-137C landing at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH

(Photo courtesy of The National Museum of the United States Air Force)

37

MUSEUM IN A BOX

Img. 13 SAM 26000 on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH

(Photo courtesy of Courtesy of The National Museum of the United States Air Force)

MUSEUM IN A BOX

38

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Museum Museum

BOX
Series

in a

history of flight
40
www.nasa.gov
EP-2010-12-460-HQ