WAA-08 Exhibit: Traveling Around

Wings Across America 2008: The Journey of the SQuiRT, The Travel Case

Traveling around the country can be tedious and damaging. To make sure the SQuiRT survived the trip Steve Griffin designed and built a custom travel box specifically for the plane and support equipment. The plane, wings, electronics, and spare parts all have designated areas and support to minimize damage. With all of the stops you can see why this plane and equipment needed a custom case.

The SQuiRT traveled around the country with so many stops it can be difficult to tell them apart.
The route that the SQuiRT traveled around the US as of April 2013.

The case started its life as a clean box and ended its journey covered in stickers from clubs and signatures from pilots. Along the way, the box picked up many mementos from forums like Wattflyers.com and RCgroups.com, and organizations like the U.S. Customs and CBP Border Patrol. Frank wanted to have all the pilots’ signatures, but he knew the plane was not a logical place. In the box he included a permanent marker and encouraged all of the pilots to sign the case.

The SQuiRT travel case is covered in signatures, stickers and other mementos.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
The top lid of the SQuiRT's case is covered in signatures.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
People signed the lid of the SQuiRT's travel case in such small handwriting it can be difficult to read.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
THe backside of the SQuiRT case has many club decals attached.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
Prominent on this side of the SQuiRT travel case is decals for Fly RC magazine, HobbyTownUSA and RCGroups,com.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
There's several club stickers on this side of the SQuiRT travel case.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
This section on the front of the SQuiRT travel case has the WAA-08 sticker surrounded by pilot signatures.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
A close up of the left side of the SQuiRT travel case lid.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
A close up of the lcenter section of the SQuiRT travel case lid.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
A close up of the right side of the SQuiRT travel case lid.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case (2013.47.02).
Everything has its own place on the inside of the SQuiRT trave case.  To protect it all, egg crate foam lines the lid.
The custom-built SQuiRT travel case open and fully packed.

The travel case, signed by each pilot, is not on exhibit due to concerns over the light fading the signatures. Instead, the case is safely stored in the museum’s storage area.

The SQuiRT travel case is wrapped in acid-free tissue and placed on a shelf in storage.
The SQuiRT travel case is tucked safely away in storage to protect the signatures from fading.

Want to know more about the SQuiRT?  Choose one of these options to read more!

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