Henry Ford II, Charles Lindbergh, Les Morris, Henry Ford and Igor Sikorsky at the VS-300 Helicopter Presentation, October 7, 1943
THF118143 / Henry Ford II, Charles Lindbergh, Les Morris, Henry Ford and Igor Sikorsky at the VS-300 Helicopter Presentation, October 7, 1943
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Artifact Overview
Henry Ford and helicopter innovator Igor Sikorsky shared a mutual friend in Charles Lindbergh, the pilot celebrated for his 1927 solo transatlantic flight. When Sikorsky mentioned his admiration for Ford to Lindbergh, Lindbergh arranged an introduction. The meeting ultimately led to Sikorsky donating his VS-300 helicopter to The Henry Ford in 1943 at a ceremony attended by all three men.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
07 October 1943
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.B.2306
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 8.25 in
Width: 10 in
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Related Content
SetDonating the VS-300
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Igor Sikorsky donated his pioneering VS-300 helicopter to The Henry Ford in October 1943. During the presentation ceremony, Sikorsky and his test pilot demonstrated the helicopter's exceptional maneuverability. They slipped the aircraft's nose probe through a small ring, set one of its wheels on a handkerchief spread on the ground, and carried souvenir "air mail" letters in its front basket.
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The Sikorsky VS-300A helicopter on display in Henry Ford Museum was the first practical helicopter in the United States. In 1943, inventor Igor Sikorsky demonstrated the machine on the front lawn of the museum just before donating it.
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