Grumman-Built Experimental Airplane Model Has Been On Loan To
The National Air And Space Museum
After spending the last 25 years on exhibit at the Smithsonian
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., the only
full-scale mockup of the famed Grumman-built X-29 aircraft has
returned to Long Island. Northrop Grumman Corporation, which
designed and built the revolutionary forward swept wing aircraft
demonstrator, welcomed the aircraft September 22nd to the Cradle of
Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY.
A day-long series of special events were held at the museum for
local area students, company employees, retirees and aviation
enthusiasts, including a guided tour by Northrop Grumman engineers
and a reunion dinner. The company funded the transportation costs
for the X-29 with a $5,000 grant to the museum.
"We're honored to accept this incredible aircraft from the
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum and add it to our vast
collection," said Todd Richman, chairman of the board of the Cradle
of Aviation Museum. "We owe Pat McMahon and Northrop Grumman a
small debt of gratitude for bringing the X-29 home where it
belongs. I hope it amazed our students yesterday and inspires
countless generations to come."
A panel discussion was held during the dinner featuring X-29
Program Manager Glenn Spacht, who was also vice president of
engineering for Grumman Aerospace at the time of the X-29 program.
Joining him was Bob August, manager, Advanced Programs and
Technology Division, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. August
worked on the program immediately following graduation from
college.
"Having the X-29 here at the Cradle of Aviation Museum will
allow students to learn from the success of this demonstration
plane. It will also give them a chance to imagine what the human
mind can create next," said Steve Hogan, vice president,
information operations and electronic attack, Northrop Grumman
Aerospace Systems. Hogan also introduced the special guest of the
evening, David Neyland, director of the Tactical Technology Office
at DARPA, the principal agency within the Department of Defense for
advanced research and development. DARPA was the original sponsor
and a key motivator for the development of the X-29 and its
associated flight research program.
NASA Image
"There's a lot of things associated with this airplane that
inspired us as a nation in technology and innovation to keep ahead
of the other guys. It was the first of its kind in terms of extreme
margins of instability on the airplane--instability meaning the
aircraft doesn't want to fly in a straight forward direction,"
Neyland said. "Now, it's about who builds the next X-29, who builds
the next lunar module... There's a real important mission here that
I can't understate and that is the 'inspiration' coming from a new
generation that's looking forward."
Students from Uniondale High School, who are part of the Cradle
of Aviation's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
Magnet Academy, were some of the first to view the X-29 at the
museum. Michael Moore, a Northrop Grumman engineer, who also worked
on the X-29 program, guided the tour.