EAA’s Attic spotlights artifacts on display or from the vaults of the EAA Aviation Museum.

April 4, 2024

EAA’s Attic — Target Kite, Mark 1, Mitsubishi A6M

Attic

In 1940, Smithsonian employee Paul Garber produced an exhibit highlighting the various Allied and Axis aircraft then fighting in World War II. His display caught the attention of the U.S. ... Read more

February 7, 2024February 7, 2024

EAA’s Attic — Clyde Lee Flight to Oslo Commemorative Postcard and Photo

Attic

Printed in 1932, this postcard shows the proposed route that Oshkosh native Clyde Lee planned to take from the United States to Norway. Lee campaigned for his red 1928 Stinson ... Read more

January 11, 2024

EAA’s Attic — Martin B-10 Fuel Tank

Attic, EAA Museum

When it entered service in 1934, the Martin B-10 was a revolution in bomber design. Faster than many fighters of the day, the B-10 featured an all-metal airframe, enclosed cockpits, ... Read more

November 30, 2023

EAA’s Attic — Data Tape Reel, Enterprise OV-101

Attic

Before the miniaturization and adoption of hard disk drives, magnetic tape reels like this were a primary data storage medium in early computers. This reel contained part of the flight ... Read more

November 2, 2023

EAA’s Attic — F-104 Throttle Assembly

Attic

This throttle assembly was fitted to a Lockheed F-104A Starfighter, serial No. 56-0763. This particular aircraft spent much of its service life based at the USAF Flight Test Center at ... Read more

October 5, 2023

EAA’s Attic — 2005 EAA Youth Art Contest Submissions

Attic, Youth & Young Eagles

For the 2005 EAA Youth Art Contest, contestants were asked to design a paint scheme for one of EAA’s two Young Eagles aircraft, a GlaStar 3 (N231YE).

September 7, 2023September 7, 2023

EAA’s Attic — Rokuohsha Type 89 Camera Gun

Attic

This machine gun-like camera was designed to train Japanese aircraft gunners. When the trigger was pulled, the camera would begin taking pictures of a target on 35 mm film housed ... Read more

August 10, 2023

EAA’s Attic — BD-5 Wind Tunnel Model

Attic

Jim Bede began development of his Micro homebuilt aircraft concept in the late 1960s, which eventually emerged as the BD-5. While the BD-5’s fighter-like looks and projected low cost made ... Read more

June 14, 2023June 14, 2023

EAA’s Attic — USAAF View-Master Training Aid

Attic

Introduced in 1939, the View-Master system used stereoscopic photography printed on cardboard disks to display 3D images in a purpose-built viewer.

May 18, 2023May 19, 2023

EAA’s Attic — B-2 Torpedo Director Sight

Attic

The B-2 Torpedo Director was an optical, illuminated sight used on U.S. Army Air Forces medium bombers. It could be installed on the A-20 Havoc, the B-25 Mitchell, and the ... Read more

April 20, 2023

EAA’s Attic — Corben/Poberezny Baby Ace Vertical Stabilizer

Attic

This piece originally ran in the March 2023 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine. Paul Poberezny and the Corben Baby Ace brought EAA to national attention through a series of ... Read more

March 22, 2023March 28, 2023

EAA’s Attic — USS Enterprise Deck Piece

Attic

This small piece of Douglas fir was once part of the flight deck of the USS Enterprise (CV-6) — the most decorated U.S. Navy vessel of World War II.

February 22, 2023February 23, 2023

EAA’s Attic — Poberezny Beer Bottles

Attic

These Paul Poberezny-themed beers were commissioned by Clarence Weisbrod, EAA 277058, of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, between 2001 and 2010. Clarence was a longtime friend of Paul’s since the two served ... Read more

January 25, 2023January 25, 2023

EAA’s Attic — World War II Recognition Models

Attic

Recognition training became a priority for servicemen during World War II as the number and types of combat vehicles used by both the Allies and the Axis multiplied. Models were ... Read more

December 13, 2022

EAA’s Attic — Wright Flyer Ice Cream Mold

Attic

A closer look at an early 20th century ice cream mold shaped like the Wright Flyer.

November 15, 2022November 21, 2022

EAA’s Attic — ‘Barling Bomber’ Strut

Attic

The Witteman-Lewis XNBL-1 (Experimental Night Bomber, Long Range) was an early attempt to produce a heavy bomber for the United States Army Air Service in the early 1920s.

October 11, 2022

EAA’s Attic — 1949 Cleveland National Air Races Pennant

Attic

Although there’s nothing particularly unique about this pennant itself, it’s an artifact from the last time the National Air Races took place in Cleveland, where they were held for the ... Read more

September 14, 2022

EAA’s Attic — Don Taylor’s Jacket

Attic

Don Taylor served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and the postwar U.S. Air Force. In the late 1960s, he built a customized Thorp T-18 (N455D) ... Read more

August 16, 2022August 16, 2022

EAA’s Attic — SCR-578 Survival Radio Set Balloon

Attic

This balloon is one of many parts of the SCR-578 survival radio set that entered service in 1942. It was a common piece of equipment on U.S. Army Air Forces ... Read more

July 11, 2022July 11, 2022

EAA’s Attic — Taylor Duckling Model

Attic

Envisioned by Aerocar designer Molt Taylor, EAA 14794, while in the Navy during World War II, the Duckling was Molt’s idea for an inexpensive and practical personal amphibian in anticipation ... Read more

June 13, 2022

EAA’s Attic — Bill Odom Memorabilia

Attic

A closer look at some memorabilia donated to the EAA Aviation Museum by the family of Bill Odom, a CNAC pilot during World War II.

May 10, 2022May 10, 2022

EAA’s Attic — Voyager Flight Food Packets

Attic, History

A closer look at unused food packets from Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager’s around-the-world Voyager flight in 1986.

April 13, 2022April 14, 2022

EAA’s Attic — WAFS Jacket

Attic

A closer look at a World War II-era Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron jacket.

March 16, 2022

EAA’s Attic — Spruce Goose Fragment

Attic, EAA Museum

A closer look at a wooden fragment taken from the largest flying boat ever built, the legendary Hughes H-4 Hercules.

February 16, 2022

EAA’s Attic — ATC-510 Personal Flight Simulator

Attic, EAA Museum

The ATC-510 Personal Flight Simulator was manufactured in the 1970s by Analog Training Computers Inc. The full unit includes the simulated panel and a pair of rudder pedals.

January 18, 2022

EAA’s Attic — Joe Engle’s M2-F1 Helmet

Attic, EAA Museum

Before being selected as an astronaut, Joe Engle was assigned to the NASA M2-F1. A small, ungainly craft made of steel tubing and mahogany, the M2-F1 was designed to test ... Read more

December 8, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Curtiss G1V-1570-F Conqueror

Attic, Vintage

Developed in the mid-1920s as the successor to the company’s popular D-12, the Curtiss Conqueror was a liquid-cooled V-12 engine with a displacement of approximately 1,570 cubic inches.

November 11, 2021

EAA’s Attic — TWA Concorde Display Model

Attic, EAA Museum

The large TWA Concorde model displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum is featured in the EAA’s Attic section of the October 2021 issue of EAA Sport Aviation magazine.

October 13, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Lycoming O-145-A1

Attic, EAA Museum

First produced in 1938, the Lycoming O-145 is a series of four-cylinder, air-cooled aircraft engines that produce 50-75 hp. They were used in a number of classic aircraft, including the ... Read more

September 14, 2021September 14, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Steve Wittman’s Tailwinds Notebook

Attic, EAA Museum, Stories Of Oshkosh

Legendary pilot and air racer Steve Wittman, longtime manager of what is now known as Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, was also a prolific aircraft designer.

August 17, 2021August 17, 2021

EAA’s Attic — RAF Course and Speed Calculator

Attic, EAA Museum

This Mk IIA course and speed calculator was a mechanical computer used by British and Commonwealth air forces during World War II.

July 15, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Leighnor Flight Recorder

Attic, EAA Museum

Back in the mid-1960s, William Leighnor, EAA 8583, was asked by his cousin, an avid sailplane pilot, if he could develop a more accurate flight recorder than what was generally ... Read more

June 15, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Menasco C-4S Pirate Engine

Attic, EAA Museum

In 1936, as part of his ongoing quest for better performance, Steve Wittman replaced the original Cirrus Hermes engine in his well-known racer Chief Oshkosh with this Menasco C-4S Pirate.

May 18, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Tom Poberezny’s Hard Hat

Attic, EAA Museum

On August 2, 1988, at the height of that year’s EAA fly-in and convention in Oshkosh, EAA broke ground on a major addition to our museum, the Eagle Hangar.

April 29, 2021April 29, 2021

EAA’s Attic — APH-5 Army Aviator’s Helmet

Attic

This piece of protective headgear is an APH-5 helmet manufactured by the Sierra Engineering Co., and it’s currently on display inside our Bell UH-1B Huey gunship, The Good Widow Mrs. ... Read more

March 25, 2021March 25, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Oldsmobile Aluminum V-8

Attic

This Oldsmobile F-85 engine was the first automobile powerplant used in Steve Wittman’s W-10 Tailwind, N37SW, from 1974 through 1978.

March 4, 2021March 4, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Flight Service Station Communications Console

Attic

This vintage communications console was used by the Flight Service Station (FSS) at the Tri-County Regional Airport (KLNR) in Lone Rock, Wisconsin.

January 28, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Pitcairn Autogiro Blade

Attic, EAA Museum

Legendary aircraft designer Harold Pitcairn formed the Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Co. in 1929 to build aircraft in partnership with rotorcraft pioneer Juan de la Cierva.

January 7, 2021

EAA’s Attic — Commemorative Airship Cushion

Attic, EAA Museum

This leather cushion, most likely produced in 1931 or 1932, commemorates the construction and launch of the USS Akron (ZRS-4).

December 3, 2020

EAA’s Attic — Falck 375 Wings

Attic, EAA Museum

Bill Falck was a legendary race pilot best known for his nearly 30-year career flying the Chester Jeep and his Formula One racer named Rivets. These wings are from another ... Read more

October 29, 2020October 29, 2020

EAA’s Attic — Plane-O-Graph

Attic, EAA Museum

Produced by Plane Facts Inc. of New York in 1942, this two-piece cardboard wheel rotates to display pictures and information about United States Army Air Forces fighters, bombers, and trainers.

September 15, 2020September 15, 2020

EAA’s Attic — Molt Taylor’s Flight Jacket

Attic, EAA Museum, Honoring The Past

This customized, hand-painted leather flight jacket, a G-1 as worn by U.S. Navy pilots almost continually from World War II to the present day, was owned by Moulton B. “Molt” ... Read more

August 19, 2020August 19, 2020

EAA’s Attic — Service Buzzer, Model 1914

Attic, EAA Museum

This telephone-telegraph dating back to World War I was designed to be used by ground troops in situations where telegraph and phone lines were in poor shape.

July 2, 2020July 2, 2020

EAA’s Attic — Pathfinder Flight Visualizer

Attic, EAA Museum

Long before ForeFlight, AnywhereMap, or even GPS, a company called Thompson Designs in Addison, Illinois, came up with a moving map display for GA pilots.

June 11, 2020June 11, 2020

EAA’s Attic — South American Pictorial Travel and Trading Game

Attic, EAA Museum

This board game was released in 1942 by Parker Brothers, the company best known for the iconic Monopoly game. The object of the game is to explore South American destinations ... Read more

May 14, 2020May 14, 2020

EAA’s Attic — Boeing 757 Concept Display Model

Attic, EAA Museum

The aircraft that would become the Boeing 757 began as a development of Boeing’s then bestselling aircraft, the 727.

December 5, 2019December 5, 2019

EAA’s Attic — Emergency Sustenance Kit — Type E-3

Attic, EAA Museum, History

This World War II escape-and-sustenance kit was developed by the U.S. Army Materiel Command and designed to be hidden in a jacket pocket and carried by air crew.

October 30, 2019October 30, 2019

EAA’s Attic — Gee Bee Sportster Model E Wing Section

Attic, EAA Museum

Granville Brothers Aircraft was founded in 1929 and would eventually go on to produce some of the most famous racing airplanes in history. The Gee Bee Model E was one ... Read more

October 10, 2019October 10, 2019

EAA’s Attic — Helmco-Lacy Hot Cup

Attic, EAA Museum

This small electrical appliance is placarded as a “Cup; Food Warmer, Type A-1.” Transport and bomber crews would use devices like this for coffee, hot chocolate, soup — anything that ... Read more

April 16, 2019April 16, 2019

EAA’s Attic — 16 mm Gun Sight Aiming Point Camera

Attic, EAA Museum

In this month’s episode of EAA’s Attic, we take a look at a gun sight aiming point (GSAP) camera, which was responsible for taking many of the images and film ... Read more

March 14, 2019March 14, 2019

EAA’s Attic — Rolly Cole Memorial Trophy

Aerobatics, Attic, EAA Museum

EAA Aviation Museum Program Coordinator Chris Henry examines the Rolly Cole Memorial Trophy, an aerobatic award given to performers who stood out among their peers, in the latest video edition ... Read more

February 21, 2019February 21, 2019

EAA’s Attic — Personal Preference Kits

Attic, EAA Museum

Most of the space-flown items that Frank Borman, EAA Lifetime 300174, generously donated to EAA in 2018 were special tools that he and the other Apollo 8 astronauts used in ... Read more

October 9, 2018

From EAA’s Attic: Link Trainer

Attic, EAA Museum, History

Flight simulators had to start somewhere, and one of the earliest successful iterations was the Link Trainer with origins dating back to the 1920s.

September 12, 2018

From EAA’s Attic: Frank Borman’s Trophies

Attic, EAA Museum, Honoring The Past

Frank Borman was awarded far more than two trophies during his fantastic aviation and space travel career, which took him around the moon and back, but the two featured here ... Read more

July 3, 2018

From EAA’s Attic: World War II Bomber Jacket

Attic

Before becoming hip fashion items, flight jackets were worn by pilots and crew as they maintained, operated, and flew military aircraft in times of both war and peace.

June 18, 2018June 27, 2018

From EAA’s Attic: Wartime Artwork

Attic, Honoring The Past

This watercolor and statue were self-portraits done by World War II P-47 pilot George Rarey.