Hello from the Silent Wings Museum.
Today's artifact spotlight shines on two things
that are just out of this world!
These are artifacts that have to do with the
space shuttle Columbia and the legacy of the
WWII glider pilots.
After a glider pilot completed advanced glider
training, he earned his G wings.
Glider pilots wore these G wings with a great
deal of pride.
And these particular G wings hold an even
greater significance.
The National World War II Glider Pilots Association
was keenly interested in the space shuttle
program, calling it the "most expensive glider
ever built."
The glider pilots shared a mutual respect
with the astronauts related to the shuttle
program and they admired their skill and pluck
as they ventured into the unknown territory
of space and back again.
This pair of G wings went into space on the
Space Shuttle Columbia March 22nd to the 30th
1982.
Colonel Jack Lousma and Colonel Gordon Fullerton
brought them back at the complete of their
mission and signed a photograph that as made
in space.
This shows the affinity between the glider
pilots of WWII and and the glider pilots of
the space shuttle program.
Learn more about the WWII glider program when
you visit the Silent Wings Museum.
Thank you!
