Spirit of St.Louis Reproduction by San Diego Aerospace Museum

Builders: San Diego Aerospace Museum volunteers
Location: SDIA Terminal 2 West

Swooping low over the baggage carousels of Terminal 2 at San Diego International Airport, this full scale reproduction of the Ryan Model NYP "Spirit of St. Louis" is a dramatic reminder of San Diego's role in Charles Lindbergh's historic 1927 solo non-stop New York-to-Paris flight. Faithfully recreated by volunteer artisans of San Diego Aerospace Museum, the new "Spirit" is fabricated with authentic materials and construction methods and includes a vintage Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine. It perfectly compliments the acclaimed and aerodynamically inspired architecture of the new terminal. Accompanying interpretive displays explain the relationship of the "Spirit of St. Louis" to aviation history and to San Diego.

Builders of the "Spirit of St. Louis" reproduction who were on hand for the installation of the aircraft at Lindbergh Field: (left to right) Don Apperson, Ernie Olson, Gene Harper, Herb Franck, Marco Daba, Ted Tornesella, Joe Gwizdak, Rob Greenaway, Bob Greenaway, Fred Cochran, Frank Huttle, Bob Weir, Harry Weaver, Harry Crystal, Augie Ghio, Lou Estrada, Bill Gard and Glen Jones.

A PROUD HERITAGE...an earlier generation of San Diegans built the original "Spirit of St. Louis"

Builders of the original "Spirit of St. Louis" pose before the plane prior to Lindbergh's departure from San Diego in 1927: (left to right) Gordy L. Boyd, George F. Hammond, Burt Tindale, Jesse Cooper, O.R. McNeel, Walter O. Locke, Charles A. Lindbergh, Georgia Mathias Borthwick, Lawrence W. Muehleisen, Frank Say, Ed "K" Crosby, June Eddy, A.J. Edwards, Daniel B. Burnett, Jr., Peggy DeWitt, Fred H. Rohr, Ruth Kennaugh Clemens, Mrs. L. Bray, Shirley Morrison, Bill Van den Akker, Mel (Andy) Anderson, Pat Davenport, Ed Terry, C. Randolph, Elmer Dye, C. Rand, Gus Eoff, Walt A. Crawford, Unknown, Doug Corrigan, John Van der Linde, Dale Powers, J.J. Red Harrigan, William Hawley Bowlus and Frank Mahoney.

Other "Spirit of St. Louis" builders not shown in photo: Donald Hall, Henry Hunold, Ed Sherburn, Ed Morrow, Ed Krauscyk, B. Jones, Fred Magula, Fred Ayres, Doug Kelley, William Bodie, Lon Wheeler, John Lester, John Stoner, Jimmy Erickson, Albert C. Crygier, Helen Thorpe, Charlie Miller and Charlie Hansen.

For more information on the historic flight of Charles Lindbergh and the "Spririt of St. Louis", download our " Lindbergh Lore" brochure now.