National Air and Space Museum

Fall 2020, Washington DC

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly VA

The majority of this internship was remote due to COVID-19. While remote, I conducted the initial research on NASM's collection of cellulose acetate aircraft recognition models.

Once possible, I worked one day a week in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA. In person work included treatment of air craft recognition models, analytical research, and assistance on ongoing departmental projects.

The Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Image c/o https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-air-and-space-museums-steven-f-udvar-hazy-center-turns-15

Entrance to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Image c/o https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-air-and-space-museums-steven-f-udvar-hazy-center-turns-15

The Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Image c/o https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/national-air-and-space-museums-steven-f-udvar-hazy-center-turns-15

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Remote Research Project: Aircraft Recognition Models

pearlharborstudentsshop class_Collectair.com_provided by Georges Grod_.jpg

Air and Space holds the largest collection of aircraft recognition models, used during World War II to train soldiers to identify Axis and Allied aircraft. These models were made from injection-molded cellulose acetate. Today, the models are rapidly disintegrating due to their inherent vice. Many have literally crumbled to dust.

My primary project at Air and Space was a remote research project into these models. While the degradation mechanism is known, Air and Space has yet to decide the next steps for storage, treatment, or replication. My research was the beginning of the project.

I investigated several areas, including replication as a form of preservation, plastic storage conditions, treatment options for damaged models, cellulose acetate degradation, and the history of aircraft recognition.

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Pear Harbor high schoolers in shop class building recognition models

Image c/o George Grod, via Friend or Foe? Museum, http://collectair.org/museum.html

Hands - On Treatment: Aircraft Recognition Models

During Treatment

Repairing wing on metal model (A19430038000)

Before Treatment

A19460099000_BT_front

After Treatment

A19460099000_AT_overallproper left

During Treatment

Repairing wing on metal model (A19430038000)

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Recognition models were also hand built from publicly available wooden kits. These were built by hand, often by middle and high school students in shop class.

Air and Space has hundreds of these models. Many have broken wings, failed joins, missing parts, or old masking tape repairs. My in-person treatments included several of these wooden models as well as some mass-produced models created from either a zinc-based alloy, or pot metal.

View Treatment Report