Farewell and thank you

For the Lockheed Martin celebration, the Pusher became a Martin aircraft, with some graphic touches.

The museum is richer for the visit of the 1911 Ely Curtiss Pusher.

The aircraft was the centerpiece of the Martin Company centennial celebration both at the museum and the nearby Lockheed Martin Corporation.

                                                                           

                                                                                                Curtiss pilot and builder Bob Coolbaugh meets member       Harvey Hodgin, who tried on  Bob' flight Jacket.

On Saturday and Sunday people lined up at the museum to see the only flying example of the aircraft that was used as a model by Glenn L. Martin for his flying machines.  Except for some minor differences and the names, only the trained eye could tell the difference in the aircraft built and flown by Navy veteran Bob Coolbaugh.

On Monday, Lockheed Martin marked the centennial with a special program that included several elected officials, including Gov. Martin O'Malley, Sen. Ben Cardin and Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger. Once again the centerpiece was the Curtiss Pusher, converted for the occasion into a Martin plane, and accompanied by the Curtiss crew dressed in period garb.

In honor of Mr. Martin, the local Lockheed Martin division presented the museum with a generous donation to help preserve the legacy of Glenn Martin and his company. Stay tuned for the special project the money will underwrite.

The 1911 Ely Curtiss Pusher gets ready to head home after a successful four-day visit to Baltimore.