Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Non-Petro Discussions Non-petro Discussion and Showcase Aviation and aerospace items, anyone?

Just wondering if any of y'all also enjoy collecting aerospace or aviation related things? I am a private pilot and I am always on the lookout for interesting pieces. I'm in the Houston area, so I continue to hope for some cool aerospace items, but so far I haven't scored too many. My favorite little piece is a mug that looks to have been given to folks working on a project for NASA. It sports the NASA JSC logo as well as "SR & QA" (which I believe stands for Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance). The back has the motto "We made the transition work!" I love it and kick myself because there were two at the Goodwill, and I only picked up one.



My other favorite item is a vintage Trans Australian Airways bag I picked up in a dusty antique shop in Canberra when visiting my then-boyfriend (now husband). I need some photos of that one. It even came with a bonus dead spider, because Australia.

I also collect Rocketeer memorabilia and prints:




And as a big fan of the beautiful Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, I am always on the lookout for vintage Republic aircraft items.

Keep 'em flyin'!

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This is a local sign from a long gone airport.

Great vintage items, love the brass desk piece, and that sign is fantastic.

License Plate Topper for Liberty Aircraft from Farmingdale, NY

Liberty Aircraft was founded in 1932 by Charles Kirkham and Robert Simon and was known as the Kirkham Engineering and Manufacturing Company. Robert Simon was the factory manager and test pilot for Lawrence Sperry. In 1936, the plant operations were moved to the former Sperry plant on Motor Avenue in Farmingdale. The aircraft division was established in 1938.

In 1940, the firm became Liberty Aircraft Products Corporation. Liberty became the prime subcontractor in the East making aircraft parts for Grumman, Republic, Martin, Curtiss, Fairchild, Brewster, Vought, Skirorsky, and others. It produced aircraft parts and metal finishing work during World War II and the Korean War. In 1940, Charles Kirkham left the company and Robert Simon took over.

In 1941, Liberty acquired stock control of the Autocar Company of Philadelphia. After Pearl Harbor, Liberty produced the parts for the world famous Wildcats, Hellcats, Bearcats, and Avengers planes. During the war, they were the first plant in Nassau County to subscribe one hundred percent for payroll participation of war bond purchases.

The company became known through the east coast as an outstanding producer in the field. It won the Army-Navy E Production Award in 1943.

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This is the only aviation piece I have (besides a few cans), but I like it!!!

Shell Aero

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We have owned this for almost 25 years.

Brian