Hacienda Cessna in McCarran - World Record
So like Paul Harvey used to say, “Now you know…the rest of the story."
Pretty cool imho.
https://www.mccarran.com/Museum
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2008/march/01/endurance-test-circa-1958
Some interesting local TV video:
https://news3lv.com/features/video-vault/video-vault-plane-in-record-breaking-flight-remains-at-mccarran-as-a-piece-of-history
It's like going to Minnesota and seeing Paul Bunyans axe or West Virginia to see John Henry's hammer.
I asked two Cessna owners and they said it would be almost impossible for a small plane to stay aloft for two months without needing multiple services. One was familiar with the story and said he felt they must have made numerous landings during the time. It's not like they flew in a loop over the strip. They flew all over the desert south west of Vegas and could have landed anywhere anytime without anyone knowing.
It makes a great story, though.
Quote: billryanI once missed my flight and found myself with about six hours to kill at the airport so I read every exhibit in the place. It's an amazing piece of history, and I love that they had a now classic sports car as their crash vehicle, but I am dubious that this feat happened as claimed.
It's like going to Minnesota and seeing Paul Bunyans axe or West Virginia to see John Henry's hammer.
I asked two Cessna owners and they said it would be almost impossible for a small plane to stay aloft for two months without needing multiple services. One was familiar with the story and said he felt they must have made numerous landings during the time. It's not like they flew in a loop over the strip. They flew all over the desert south west of Vegas and could have landed anywhere anytime without anyone knowing.
It makes a great story, though.
After all these years has anyone spilled the beans about secret landings?
Quote: AlanMendelsonAfter all these years has anyone spilled the beans about secret landings?
Why would they? It was a publicity stunt that raised money for charity. It's not as if someone would write a book bout it.
Sure, I suppose that's possible.Quote: billryan
They flew all over the desert south west of Vegas and could have landed anywhere anytime without anyone knowing.
Yep.Quote: billryanIt makes a great story, though.
Quote: billryan. They flew all over the desert south west of Vegas and could have landed anywhere anytime without anyone knowing.
It makes a great story, though.
True, but then they would need to explain how the paint on the landing gear tires got all messed up.
Quote: LoquaciousMoFWTrue, but then they would need to explain how the paint on the landing gear tires got all messed up.
Does Chris Angel explain how he can sit on a platform for forty days without going to the bathroom? It's all part of the illusion. I suspect it was a hoax. Just my gut feeling and opinion. It's no big deal. It was a publicity stunt that raised money for a charity. Either way, it's a great way to kill an hour at the airport.
BTW- I was born December 5th 1958 in Japan so this flight took off the day my family learned I was born.
I didn't know what this referred to until I read another article:Quote: LoquaciousMoFWTrue, but then they would need to explain how the paint on the landing gear tires got all messed up.
Their flight commenced on December 4, 1958, at 3:52 p.m. at McCarran Airport, Las Vegas. Soon after getting airborne they made a low pass over a chase vehicle for white stripes to be painted on their tyres with a large roller. If they should attempt a clandestine landing for rest, recuperation or repairs at any time during the marathon flight, the special marks would get erased or defaced.
http://www.sps-aviation.com/story/?id=1706#:~:text=Robert%20Elgin%20Timm%20was%20born,as%20a%20slot%20machine%20mechanic.
ANYWAY, when you come through that terminal in McCarran with your friends NOW you can impress them with your aviation knowledge about the Flight Endurance Record.
Here is another well-researched and entertaining article:
https://disciplesofflight.com/flight-endurance/
Quote: DRichI have probably flown in and out of Mccarran close to 1000 times and never read the story of that airplane
Right? I have seen it many times but never wondered why it was there.
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Also, McCarran is no more...name change coming soon for the Las Vegas airport (fall?):
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-agency-clears-way-rename-las-vegas-airport-after-democrat-senator-harry-reid-2021-06-24/
https://news3lv.com/news/local/harry-reid-international-airport-not-quite-yet
https://www.casino.org/news/las-vegas-airport-name-change-for-harry-reid-possible-by-fall/
Yes, exactly ! I had not either, so thought this was an educational / entertaining story to share. I have flown in / out of McCarran dozens of times.Quote: DRichI have probably flown in and out of Mccarran close to 1000 times and never read the story of that airplane
Quote: TDVegasRefueling must have been difficult. Same for bathroom issues.
Flying around over the desert, it's unlikely that sand will complain about falling blue ice.
Re-fueling was a hassle, I am sure, but maybe they looked forward to it because it gave them something to do every day.Quote: TDVegasRefueling must have been difficult. Same for bathroom issues.
I suspect the most difficult aspects would have been:
1) Sheer Boredom
2) Sleep Deprivation
https://vintagelasvegas.com/post/181715192054/hacienda-lockheed-constellation-willow-run
