Suggested Searches

2 min read

NASA – Dryden Flight Research Center – News Room: News Releases: NEW NASA DRYDEN MURAL UNVEILED

Contents

NEW NASA DRYDEN MURAL UNVEILED

July 31, 2003

Release: 03-45

Printer Friendly Version

A panoramic mural commissioned by NASA to depict highlights of the first century of flight
A panoramic mural commissioned by NASA to depict highlights of the first century of flight was unveiled at the world’s largest aviation event, the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Oshkosh convention in Oshkosh, Wis. The mural, by aviation artist Robert McCall, measures six feet by 18 feet. McCall was on hand with NASA Dryden Flight Research Center director Kevin Petersen and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) president Tom Poberezny for the official unveiling on July 30. The painting depicts a host of milestone aircraft and spacecraft swirling around the original Wright Flyer, symbolically airborne in front of the sun at the dawn of the age of flight. In the foreground, fliers ranging from a happy-go-lucky aviator of World War I to a pair of free-floating astronauts, anonymous behind the reflective shields of their helmets, depict the people who animate the vehicles in the painting.
The mural, titled “Celebrating One Hundred Years of Powered Flight, 1903-2003” will be exhibited at EAA as part of the commemoration of a century of flight and eventually will go on permanent display at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base in California.
“This is an exciting day for us,” Petersen said. “The painting… has been years in the making. The events it records were a century in the making. But this is a celebration of the future yet to be.” Poberezny said he was proud NASA chose to unveil the mural at AirVenture. “EAA has valued the relationship it has with NASA,” he said.
McCall told the audience he enjoys the awe of flight. He said he likes to think humanity is still just experiencing the beginnings of flight.

-nasa-

Note to Editors: Images of artist Robert McCall at work on the mural and with Dryden director Kevin Petersen are available online at: /centers/dfrc/Gallery/Photo/Misc/index.html For more information, call Dryden Public Affairs at (661) 276-2662.