The modern hangar design of the building included large transport planes suspended from the ceiling, giving the illusion of aircraft landing and added to the architects' concept of "flight in space."
The Bendix Aviation Corporation displayed its major contributions not only to aviation, but also to marine and automotive transportation.
Photo taken by William H. Beal and submitted by his grandson, David Knowles.
Many opening day visitors complained that the Aviation Building opening was delayed until May 20, the anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s cross-Atlantic flight.
Fair officials requested airplanes flying near the Fair dip their wings and circle the Aviation Building as an aerial tribute to the industry’s exhibit. The “Super-Mainline,” a four-motored Douglas DC-4, the world’s largest passenger land plane did exactly that before landing at the nearby Floyd Bennett Field.
Historical Society - wf-242r
by Arie van Dort
Summer 1939
Photo W014 by Winnie Ervin from the collection of
Dr. William R. Hanson
- Return to:
- Transportation
- July 2017 Newsletter