September 18, 2005
ROLLS-ROYCE RECOGNIZES WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL AVIATION HERITAGE INVITATIONAL
Chantilly, VA. - Rolls-Royce was joined by a number of aviation heroes to recognize the winners of the Western Regional of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational held in conjunction with the Reno National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada.
A 1948 Luscombe Sedan 11A, owned and restored by Kent and Sandy Blankenburg was awarded the 2005 Rolls-Royce Aviation Heritage Trophy as the top overall winner at the Invitational. The Heritage Trophy is displayed at the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Nearly 20 aircraft were part of the Western Regional vying for the awards.
Antique Category (Orville and Wilbur Wright Trophy):
1930 Stearman C3R
Owned by Bill Allen
Restored by Ragtime Aero
Classic Category (Paul E. Garber Trophy):
1948 Cessna 195
Owned by Mike Meloche
Restored by Meloche Aviation
Warbird Category (Henry "Hap" Arnold Trophy):
1955 North American F-100D Super Saber
Owned by Steve Harjer
Restored by McClellan Airport Center
People's Choice National Aviation Hall of Fame Award:
1953 Douglas AD-5 (A-1E) Skyraider
Owned by Danny Summers
Restored by Pacific Fighters-Fighter
Assisting in the presentations were aviation legends such as Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon; General John (Jack) Dailey (USMC, Ret.), Director of the National Air and Space Museum; Donald Lopez, Deputy Director of the Air and Space Museum; Steven F. Udvar-Hazy; Chairman and CEO of ILFC; Ron Kaplan, Executive Director of the National Aviation Hall of Fame and Ken Perich; Executive Director of the National Aviation Heritage Invitational and Vice President of Market Development at Rolls-Royce.
In addition to the awards ceremony, Rolls-Royce was recognized for its continued support of the Reno National Championship Air Races, as Reno Mayor Robert Cashell and City Manager Charles McNeely presented Rolls-Royce with an official proclamation and designation of September 18th as Rolls-Royce Day in the City of Reno.
The National Aviation Heritage Invitational encourages preservation of aviation history through the restoration of aircraft to original flying condition. The Invitational is a joint effort under the partnership of Rolls-Royce North America, the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the Reno Air Racing Foundation and was founded in 1998. A five-member panel, including representatives of the National Air and Space Museum, judges each aircraft on its technical merit and how well it represents the aircraft early in its career. Authenticity to the original manufacturer's condition is the "gold standard" for each plane.
For further information please contact:
Ginny Person
Corporate Communications
Rolls-Royce North America Inc.
Tel 703-621-2764
Fax 703-709-6087
Email: ginny.person@rolls-royce.com
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