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- Warren Glover and Harry New Congratulate Air Mail Pilot Earl Ward, March 20, 1926 - In 1924, with the success of experimental night operations and increasing business interest in next-day mail, the U.S. Air Mail Service announced plans to establish regular overnight flights between New York and Chicago. Preparations included mounting floodlights and searchlights at airfields and constructing a series of routing beacons and emergency landing fields along the route. The first official flights departed from both terminal cities on July 1, 1925.

- 1926
- Collections - Artifact
Warren Glover and Harry New Congratulate Air Mail Pilot Earl Ward, March 20, 1926
In 1924, with the success of experimental night operations and increasing business interest in next-day mail, the U.S. Air Mail Service announced plans to establish regular overnight flights between New York and Chicago. Preparations included mounting floodlights and searchlights at airfields and constructing a series of routing beacons and emergency landing fields along the route. The first official flights departed from both terminal cities on July 1, 1925.
- Plaque Commemorating the Record Number of Hours Flown by the Douglas DC-3 - The Douglas DC-3 is one of history's most significant aircraft, with important achievements in civil and military applications. DC-3 N21728, operated by Eastern Airlines and North Central Airlines from 1939 to 1975, is a special example. The airplane logged 84,875 flight hours before being retired to The Henry Ford. It was a record for a commercial aircraft at that time.

- March 10, 1966
- Collections - Artifact
Plaque Commemorating the Record Number of Hours Flown by the Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is one of history's most significant aircraft, with important achievements in civil and military applications. DC-3 N21728, operated by Eastern Airlines and North Central Airlines from 1939 to 1975, is a special example. The airplane logged 84,875 flight hours before being retired to The Henry Ford. It was a record for a commercial aircraft at that time.
- Presidential Airplane, the "Sacred Cow," circa 1945 - This Douglas VC-54C, nicknamed <em>Sacred Cow</em>, was the first aircraft constructed specifically for presidential use. It was designed for Franklin Delano Roosevelt with a conference room and wheelchair lift. Roosevelt - the first United States President to fly while in office - only used this airplane once, for the February 1945 Yalta Conference. <em>Sacred Cow</em> also carried President Harry S. Truman.

- circa 1945
- Collections - Artifact
Presidential Airplane, the "Sacred Cow," circa 1945
This Douglas VC-54C, nicknamed Sacred Cow, was the first aircraft constructed specifically for presidential use. It was designed for Franklin Delano Roosevelt with a conference room and wheelchair lift. Roosevelt - the first United States President to fly while in office - only used this airplane once, for the February 1945 Yalta Conference. Sacred Cow also carried President Harry S. Truman.
- American Airlines DC-3 Flagship Model Airplane Kit, circa 1945 - Model airplanes have been a popular hobby since the 1920s. Early modelers built from scratch, but entrepreneurs soon saw the business possibilities in making and selling model kits. Balsa wood was a favorite building material due to its strength, light weight, and the ease with which it could be shaped.

- circa 1945
- Collections - Artifact
American Airlines DC-3 Flagship Model Airplane Kit, circa 1945
Model airplanes have been a popular hobby since the 1920s. Early modelers built from scratch, but entrepreneurs soon saw the business possibilities in making and selling model kits. Balsa wood was a favorite building material due to its strength, light weight, and the ease with which it could be shaped.
- Two Views of "Sacred Cow" Airplane Model, circa 1950 - These images show a model of <em>Sacred Cow</em>, the first aircraft constructed specifically for presidential use. The Douglas VC-54C, was designed for Franklin Delano Roosevelt with a wheelchair lift, picture window, and conference room. Roosevelt - the first United States President to fly while in office - only used this airplane once. <em>Sacred Cow</em> also carried President Harry S. Truman.

- circa 1950
- Collections - Artifact
Two Views of "Sacred Cow" Airplane Model, circa 1950
These images show a model of Sacred Cow, the first aircraft constructed specifically for presidential use. The Douglas VC-54C, was designed for Franklin Delano Roosevelt with a wheelchair lift, picture window, and conference room. Roosevelt - the first United States President to fly while in office - only used this airplane once. Sacred Cow also carried President Harry S. Truman.
- U.S. Mail Airplane, circa 1925 - Regular air mail service in the United States started in 1918. Initial air mail stamps cost 24 cents -- eight times more than ground service. But those fees helped subsidize the development of America's airways. After operating air mail flights itself for eight years, the U.S. Post Office Department contracted with commercial air carriers in 1926.

- circa 1925
- Collections - Artifact
U.S. Mail Airplane, circa 1925
Regular air mail service in the United States started in 1918. Initial air mail stamps cost 24 cents -- eight times more than ground service. But those fees helped subsidize the development of America's airways. After operating air mail flights itself for eight years, the U.S. Post Office Department contracted with commercial air carriers in 1926.