A 160 Year Old Grand Old Flag

This 34 star US flag flew during opening ceremonies of the first railroad bridge in Davenport, Iowa. The date was April 21, 1856 - 160 years ago today. See it at Davenport's Putnum Museum.

A Bit More of King Tut at Davenport's Putnum Museum

A few more photos of the King Tut replica exhibition at the Putnum Museum in Davenport, Iowa. This statue is one of several roughly two foot travelers that helped make the journey to the other side a bit less stressful for the boy king.

We often see the famous golden mask of Tut from a straight on front view. Here is a view from the right side. While this mask is a replica, the craftsmanship and attention to detail in reproducing the original is extraordinary. The sands of time are shifting. You have until the first week in September 2016 to see the full display and experience what it was like to discover King Tut and the unexpected burial chamber treasures.

King Tut's Treasure at the Putnum Museum

Between now and the first week in September 2016 the treasures of King Tut's tomb discovery are on display at the Putnum Museum in Davenport, Iowa. While these replicas carefully show minute detail of the originals, the story telling graphics and videos really make the exhibit experience both educational and entertaining. Besides how can you not take a great photo of the golden mask?

Within the burial vault you can see how the original orientation of objects appeared when Howard Carter and others first opened the tomb in the 1920s. The narration tells the story of what each piece meant and how it was laid out in the vault. Further into the exhibit visitors can get close-up to the famous golden mask and sarcophagus to study the accurately reproduced detail. 

While it may be years before the original tomb items make the trip to Iowa, this was a great chance to see what is generally regarded as iconic, historical and artistic. More photos will be part of another posting soon.

A Bit of Bix

Bix Beiderbecke was a jazz trumpet player who played mostly in the 1920s. His cornet is on display at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, Iowa where Bix hailed from. As cool as that is, read the statement from trumpet legend Louis Armstrong just above Bix's cornet - can't get a better accolade than that.

Towboat James F. Neal Passes Through Lock & Dam 15

The Ingram towboat, James F. Neal passed through Lock and Dam 15 on the Mississippi River at the Rock Island Arsenal across from Davenport, Iowa. Look closely on the brown concrete wall as the level of the lower river is marked within the lock. The waters will rise up to the red bricks below the control house before the barges are pushed upriver.

The James F. Neal pushes barges upriver and ties together another barge segment before moving north towards Lock and Dam 14 about 10 miles away.

I have included these photos to show those who have never visited a lock and dam system on a big river. The sights are impressive with boats and people moving grain, fuel, metals and assorted goods from region to region. These 24/7 operated boats and lock systems truly demonstrate how America works.

2011 Quad Cities Air Show - Part 3

The recent tragic death of an airshow stunt flyer who fell trying to reach a helicopter from a biplane reminded me that I had these remaining images to post from June's Quad Cities Air Show. In June this guy successfully made it from the Stearman biplane to the helicopter.

The support plane for the Navy's Blue Angles is this C-130 Hercules. The plane demonstrated low passes for the crowd like those used in real combat situations. The plane also showed how it could land very quickly using lots of flaps, powerful reverse thrust and maybe someone standing on the brakes. This demonstration alone was a crowd pleaser. 

The highlight of the June show was the performance by the Blue Angels. They made several passes in formation, flew upside down, demonstrated vertical thrust and a variety of other aerial wonders.

While this day was dominated by a cloud cover it turned out to be a positive advantage for the crowd. The at times dark sky provided a dramatic background for the oncoming Blue Angels with full smoke on.

The show ended soon after this spectacular blooming pass. I don't know the correct air show name for the maneuver but it certainly wowed the crowd. Next came the show's lowlight - a one hour and 15 minute crawl in the car inching out of the parking area - but it was worth it. Parts 1 and 2 of this series can be found here and here. Know that.

2011 Quad Cities Air Show - Part 2

The Quad Cities Air Show held in Davenport, Iowa last weekend included a variety of aircraft and flight performances. Precision parachuters battled moderate winds on Saturday. Their skills enabled the team to land on target.

The Lucas Oil barnstormer made incredible turns, stalls and dives. And like many of the performers did so with a trail of smoke to highlight the flight characteristics.

A rare jet assisted glider also wowed the crowd with its graceful climbs and dives performed much slower than its propeller counterparts. The jet engine was not engaged during loops and drives but turned on to regain airspeed for the next set of performances.

The sturdiness of a World War II Stearman is tested by a low level pull out.

Another World War II trainer showed the crowd the difference in technology between the Stearman and this A-6 Texan. Know that.

2011 Quad Cities Air Show - Part 1

Last weekend an air show in the Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa) took place for the twenty-something time. Its claims to be the third largest air show in the United States and featured, among other exhibits, the US Navy's Blue Angels. Half of the show consists of static displays. Above is some type of Navy helicopter that was in the process of balancing it's side fuel tanks and was guarded by the local Civil Air Patrol members.

Another static display at the show was this World War II era Avenger. This craft carried a torpedo and was used primarily in the Pacific theater. This particular plane is in immaculate condition.

Spooky is a C-47 transport plane used near the end of WWII and converted to a machine gun platform used in Vietnam. This plane was called in, usually at night, to a target area, circled the target (known as orbiting) and discharged its twin side mounted machine guns downward. This measure usually decimated the jungle and allowed for other attack aircraft to conduct missions.

A-10 Warthog jets have been around for years. They are used in the Middle East to destroy tanks and provide cover for troops on the ground. The two engine nacelles allow the plane to linger over the target area.

The Quad Cities Air Show offers site seeing for many people. Willy the dog however, was not allowed on the show's grounds but hung out in the parking area with his owner. Both enjoyed the aerial portion of the five hour show. Know that.