Donald Douglas’s Dream Preserved

Allen Hamblin
Museum of Flying Volunteer and
Docent

   I would like to support the opportunity of keeping the Museum of Flying (at Santa Monica Airport) in Santa Monica (at its present site) as strongly as possible.
   That aviation played a major role in the development and growth of the City of Santa Monica there is no doubt. A young man, Donald Douglas, had a dream and that dream became an idea and grew from a humble beginning in the 1920’s located at Douglas park (which is named in his honor) into the largest employer in Santa Monica into the 1960’s. As we move into the future we should and must remember and respect our past. The Museum of Flying helps us to remember the valuable contribution aviation has played in the history of Santa Monica.
   What role has the Museum of Flying played in Santa Monica? For me, it became part of my life. I became a volunteer in 1989 and spent countless hours helping in all kinds of responsibilities, focusing on being a docent the last few years. I could hardly wait for the sun to rise so I could be at the museum again.
   Over the years I watched people come into the museum and leave with a greater appreciation of not only the aircraft but the hundreds of related items, quite a few donated by families who wished to share their “grandfather’s love of flying in the barnstorming early days of aviation.” Some people came to see a World War Two aircraft that was part of their family’s life during that era. Families, ranging from grandpas to grand children would come to “ooh” and “ah.” Special areas were set aside where children could have “hands-on” and could “fly” the airplane.
  The Museum of Flying became very special with groups, especially school children, who would arrange visits during the week. The docents eagerly looked forward to the group tours, explaining at the level of their audience the historical aircraft around them. Many were the letters (and drawings) of appreciation sent to the Museum of Flying thanking the docents and staff for a learning as well as an enjoyable time.
   The volunteers, along with the staff, were a unique assemblage or personalities, all in love with their work. How many volunteers have been at the museum is hard to say, but at one time over three hundred volunteers were officially listed. What does this mean? For one, they represented all ages and all walks of life with the majority being in the retirement age. Retirement usually means that after a lifetime career of honing your skills you have to develop a new way of life. Not easy.
   The Museum of Flying opened its door and now these folk had the opportunity to once again share their valuable talents in a very positive way. They had something to offer and they were needed. A spark returned to their eyes and their enthusiasm for a new day grew. Over and over again we heard people say, “My spouse retired and began to vegetate. Now, because of the Museum of Flying, he/she is alive again!” The volunteers shared their backgrounds of expertise in over forty categories ranging from librarianship to aircraft engines to restoration to the bookstore to special events to the model club to sheet metal work. You name it, the volunteers could do it and they did!
   I joined the Museum of Flying some 13 years ago and I could not have anticipated in my wildest dreams the amount of enjoyment it has put in my life. I also like to travel and over the years have visited castles and cathedrals everywhere. Now, because of the Museum of Flying, I include air museums and air shows in other countries and again, the increase of enjoyment to my travels is immeasurable. And, of course, I distribute brochures from my museum and return with brochures from others. There is no end to how life has grown in this period of time.
   The Museum of Flying offers a display of items that are historical, informative and rare. Hanging in the main “hanger” is the Douglas Cloudster (the “New Orleans”) which was built in Santa Monica and was the first airplane (along with sister plane “Chicago”) to circumnavigate the globe in 1924! Nearby is an exact replica of the “Voyageur,” the first airplane to successfully fly around the world without refueling or stopping (1991). These two aircraft represent not only the tremendous flying skills needed and the technology required to build them but fulfillment of dreams that can start as simply as asking, “What can we do now?” and outlining an idea on a paper napkin. Those dreams became hard work and success followed and their achievements have benefited the progress of our society.
   On the second floor, near a bell from a cruiser sunk in the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, is an array of photographs and articles highlighting the role women have played in the development of aviation. On the third floor level, at opposite corners to the display of uniforms worn by Stewardesses in the 1930s, is an wonderful tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, who challenged the race barrier and went on to become outstanding fighter pilots protecting American bombers in World War Two. I’ve had people tell me they traveled across the country to see this display. Others, younger, are looking to find their father/grandfather in one of the many photographs. These are but a few of the myriad items on display to see, feel, and read.
   The Museum of Flying is world-famous for its other aircraft as well. From World War Two the Museum has two fighter aircraft from one side of the conflict and a half dozen from the other. Nowhere else will you find such a collection. And these particular aircraft are all original and in flying condition. People from around the world come just to see them but stay to admire all the other offerings.
   The story of the Museum of Flying, itself, is interesting. The older museum, the Donald Douglas Air Museum, located on the south side of the airport, was in trouble. The lease was ending and could not be re-newed. What were they going to do with all their displays? David Price had a dream and out of that dream came the Museum of Flying (located on the north side of the airport) and the older museum moved to the newer museum.
   In the City of Santa Monica we have parks where adults and children can picnic and play on their own or in organized activities. There are pools where people swim. There are many things our city does to help its citizens of all ages to have a better way of life. A museum, like a library, is a place to learn and enjoy. Perhaps the City of Santa Monica could look with favorable eyes on the Museum of Flying and help make that dream of a permanent site become a reality!