Post by smith on May 16, 2005 15:51:29 GMT -5
LAKELAND -- Renowned aviator Howard Hughes likely never spent a lot of time in Central Florida.
But a collection of his personal belongings, including a flying suit and a map commissioned by actress Katharine Hepburn, are on display at the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, and Wednesday the doors will open for free.
The items are part of the museum's permanent Howard Hughes collection that continues to be catalogued by volunteers.
"People are really surprised we have this collection in Lakeland," said Camille Branch-Turley, spokeswoman for the Sun 'n Fun organization that operates the museum.
The exhibit has gained in popularity since the release of The Aviator, the Oscar-winning film that depicts Hughes' life.
Hughes was founder of the Hughes Aircraft Co. and a movie producer.
He romanced several Hollywood stars including Hepburn. He also introduced Jean Harlow to the big screen.
In the early to mid-1960s, Hughes controlled Trans World Airlines and was a major stockholder of Northeast Airlines.
He was obsessed with aircraft and became one of the most famous aviators in history when he flew around the world in 1938.
The Florida Air Museum has tapes of radio broadcasts during his famous flight, but they are being re-recorded and are not yet available to the public.
Items in the exhibit include parts of his planes and several models, including one of his most famous aircraft, an eight-engine flying boat dubbed the Spruce Goose.
A set of "his" and "hers" flying suits are exhibited.
The "his" belongs to Hughes. No one at the museum knows for sure who the "hers" belonged to, but rumors abound that it might have been for Hepburn.
Hepburn commissioned Rand McNally & Co. to make a large map of the world displaying the routes of Hughes' and others' flights. It too is on display at the museum.
But a collection of his personal belongings, including a flying suit and a map commissioned by actress Katharine Hepburn, are on display at the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland, and Wednesday the doors will open for free.
The items are part of the museum's permanent Howard Hughes collection that continues to be catalogued by volunteers.
"People are really surprised we have this collection in Lakeland," said Camille Branch-Turley, spokeswoman for the Sun 'n Fun organization that operates the museum.
The exhibit has gained in popularity since the release of The Aviator, the Oscar-winning film that depicts Hughes' life.
Hughes was founder of the Hughes Aircraft Co. and a movie producer.
He romanced several Hollywood stars including Hepburn. He also introduced Jean Harlow to the big screen.
In the early to mid-1960s, Hughes controlled Trans World Airlines and was a major stockholder of Northeast Airlines.
He was obsessed with aircraft and became one of the most famous aviators in history when he flew around the world in 1938.
The Florida Air Museum has tapes of radio broadcasts during his famous flight, but they are being re-recorded and are not yet available to the public.
Items in the exhibit include parts of his planes and several models, including one of his most famous aircraft, an eight-engine flying boat dubbed the Spruce Goose.
A set of "his" and "hers" flying suits are exhibited.
The "his" belongs to Hughes. No one at the museum knows for sure who the "hers" belonged to, but rumors abound that it might have been for Hepburn.
Hepburn commissioned Rand McNally & Co. to make a large map of the world displaying the routes of Hughes' and others' flights. It too is on display at the museum.