Commemorative Airforce Museum
It had been a while since I had been to the CAF Museum in Midland, Texas (MAF) and the exhibits change quite often, so I checked it out today.
I always enjoy this museum, but like some other things it does appear to be in a bit of a recession. The number of aircraft on display in the hangar was down quite a bit and the B-29 is not airworthy but I read that a big donation has happened that may put her in the air again. Despite all that there were things to amaze and delight.
The first surprise that the Late Leeon Davis' DA-11 was on display.
There was absolutely no interpretation of this unique and amazing airplane but there it sat, with no ropes, and I got to see it in the flesh for the first time. I knew that Leeon strived for lightness and that made me expect that workmanship would not be a high priority. That is wrong, wrong, wrong. This airplane is beautifully built. Gross weight is 375 pounds and cruise speed around 125 mph. How about this for an alternative engine controversy? Leeon bypassed the auto engines and went straight for the lawn mower engine.
There is a big dispute. I had previously read that the Briggs and Stratton is 18 HP, but on the data plate it said 20 HP. Did Leeon do a dyno test?
I don't know how many screws hold my RV-6 tanks on but it is a bunch. Each similar tank on the DA-11 has 5 visible top screws attaching it to the wing.
Another highlight was the Polikarpov I-16 Soviet 30s era aircraft that is said to be the first airplane in the world with enclosed cockpit, mono-wing, retractable gear and controllable pitch prop.
To add an RV slant, there in the ramp side of the display hangar was Mark Frederick's F-1 Rocket.
WWII fighters, bombers, gliders and observation craft and RV derivatives. Looks like CAF is expanding.
Oh, there was even some sexist nose art.
But the aircraft owner is a woman!