Extraordinary limited edition "First Flights" relic display, numbered 6/12, containing flown swatches from the Wright Flyer (first powered flight, 1903), Vin Fiz (first transcontinental flight, 1911), Curtiss NC-4 (first transoceanic flight, 1919), Douglas World Cruiser Chicago (first circumnavigation of the world, 1924), and Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia (first lunar landing, 1969). The Wright Flyer swatch was acquired from NASA Production Control Engineer Bill Whipkey, who created many displays and presentation pieces for the astronauts; the larger swatch that this fragment originates from is believed to have been carried on Apollo 11 by Neil Armstrong. The Vin Fiz, Curtiss NC-4, and Chicago swatches originate from Smithsonian presentations prepared with material recovered during restoration at the National Air and Space Museum. The Apollo 11 swatch is a piece of flown Kapton foil recovered from the Apollo 11 CM Columbia's thermal protection subsystem, supplied by aerospace memorabilia specialist Ken Havekotte. The display, created by collector Noah Bradley, is framed to an overall size of 31.5 x 11.25. In fine condition. Accompanied by a substantial packet of provenance information, which can be viewed at RRAuction.com. OVERSIZED
