National Aviation Heritage Invitational Announces 2013 Awards to Restored Aircraft

National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees joined presenting sponsor Perform Air. in awarding the Grand Champion Neil A. Armstrong Aviation Heritage Trophy to the:
1946 Beechcraft D-18S N5QQ
Owned by Matt Walker of Henderson, Nevada

Winners in other categories:

• Antique: Orville and Wilbur Wright Trophy – 1942 Interstate S-1A
Owned by Jeff and Kim Powschwatta of Kent, Washington

• Classic: Paul E. Garber Trophy – 1949 Aeronca 11-CC
Owned by Damon Duree of Oakland, California

• Military: Henry ‘Hap’ Arnold Trophy – 1945 Vickers-Armstrong Spitfire
Owned by John Sessions of Mukilteo, Washington

• Large: Howard Hughes Trophy – 1954 Grumman G-111 Albatross
Owned by Joe Duke of Jacksonville Beach, Florida

• The National Aviation Hall of Fame People’s Choice Award:
1954 Grumman G-111 Albatross, owned by Joe Duke of Jacksonville, Florida

Assisting in the trophy presentations to the winning owners were National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees Dick Rutan, Clarence ‘Bud’ Anderson, Robert ‘Hoot’ Gibson Herb Kelleher, R.A. Bob Hoover, Clay Lacy and Sean Tucker.

The Heritage is held in conjunction with the Reno National Championship Air Races and celebrates aviation treasures. This endeavor is a joint effort under the auspices of Perform Air., the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Reno Air Racing Foundation, with support from the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, Air Transport World, Airmail Greetings, Air and Space Smithsonian Magazine, LiveAirShowTV and The Perich Group.

The National Aviation Heritage Invitational encourages preservation of aviation history through the restoration of aircraft to original flying condition. The Invitational was founded in 1998. A five-member panel, including representatives of the National Air and Space Museum, judges each aircraft on its technical merit and how well it represents the aircraft early in its career. Authenticity to the original manufacturer’s condition is the “gold standard” for each plane.

More information can be found at www.heritagetrophy.org

Source: NAHI