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1/A Wiley Post side story: after Wiley’s tragic death in 1935, his widow donated his 3rd pressure suit (the only one left) & other artifacts (including the radio compass prof. developed by @AFResearchLab Wright Field) to the Smithsonian, which also purchased the Winnie Mae
2/ fast forward to 1961. #astronaut Alan Shepard became 1st American in space & #NASA donates his pressure suit (& capsule) to National Air Museum (that’s Earl Dorfman of National Historical Wax museum handing helmet/head to Natl Air Museum Director Philip Hopkins) @airandspace
3/ now Shepard’s suit was really a modified Navy Mark IV pressure suit developed at BF Goodrich by none other than Russell Colley, the same guy who did Post’s last 2 suits in 1934. He was probably the worlds expert in pressure suits by now, namely for the “tomato worm” joints
4/ however, BFG noticed that @airandspace did not credit their company for either Shepard’s suit nor Wiley Post’s, which understandably rubbed them the wrong way. Colley & BFG still had the original 1st/2nd suit helmet, but refused to donate it unless properly credited for all.
5/Air Force aeromed doc/historian Capt Charles Wilson in early 1960s researched Post, buddied up with Colley, & facilitated transfer of helmet to @airandspace, with proper credit, of course. This is Russ Colley handing helmet over to Natl Air Museum Director in 1964.
Forgot to tag @Not_Wright_Bros for the impetus to do this side story. Enjoy!
