Advertised as “the most unique RC aircraft in the universe” and as an “alien anti-gravity device”, the Roswell Flyer came out in 1999 after five years of development by the company Area Fifty-One Technologies. As a quadcopter, it isn’t really defying gravity like science fiction would think, but it was still pretty forward-thinking for the end of the 20th century. Larry Markey purchased a Roswell Flyer on February 6, 1999, and when it came and it saw the model was serial number 1, he decided not to build it since it might have historical value some day.
Instead, he bought a second one to build and fly. He was still flying it the day before he donated it to the museum earlier this year. Along with the flyable aircraft, he donated the unbuilt Roswell Flyer, serial number 1, the original instruction manuals, and purchase invoices.
Thank you, Larry, for helping to grow the museum’s collection!