Mysteries of the first air war revealed a century later

SEATTLE, July 9, 2014--On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, a one-day symposium at The Museum of Flight on Saturday, July 26, brings together the leading experts on World War I aviation to show how recent investigations into the subject are revealing surprising new information. Speakers include Javier Arango, who uses his personal collection of airworthy World War I airplanes in groundbreaking flight programs to chart the real abilities of the ancient aircraft. Other presenters are renowned World War I aviation historians and authors John Morrow, John Ross, John S. Ballard and Richard Hallion.

The symposium offers four programs from 10:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., followed by an hour-long tour the Museum's World War I Gallery with the guest speakers. The symposium is free with admission to the Museum.

Photo: World War I Pfalz D.XII (foreground) and Sopwith Snipe on display at The Museum of Flight. Ted Huetter/The Museum of Flight, Seattle.

Symposium Schedule
10:30 a.m. to noon
Javier Arango and Dr. John Morrow.
Javier Arango is owner of one of the world's finest private collections of World War I aircraft and a board member of the National Air and Space Museum. He has worked to restore his collection to its original condition and to document a record of specifications and abilities of each of the aircraft - information that has not previously existed.

John Morrow is one of the most acclaimed World War I historians in the world. Morrow's books are considered vital to any study of WWI aviation and the war as a whole.

1 to 2 p.m.
John Ross
John Ross is the author of the upcoming book "Enduring Courage - Ace Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker and the Dawn of the Age of Speed." He is the former executive editor of American Heritage and Invention & Technology magazines and was a senior editor of Smithsonian magazine.

2:30 to 4 p.m.
John Morrow, John Ballard, and Richard Hallion
John S. Ballard is also a former U.S. Air Force historian whose book on World War I fighter pilot Field Kindley is renowned for its quality storytelling and historical value.
Richard Hallion is senior adviser for Air and Space Issues, Directorate for Security, Counterintelligence and Special Programs Oversight, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. He is also an accomplished Air Force historian who has published many aviation books. His book about World War I, "Taking Flight," is considered the seminal work on the subject.

4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
Roundtable discussion among all speakers with focus on questions from the audience.

5:15 to 6:15 p.m.
Symposium speakers and participants tour the Museum's World War I Gallery.

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The independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, attracting more than 500,000 visitors annually. The Museum's collection includes more than 160 historically significant air- and spacecraft, the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Co., and the world's only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museum's aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 100,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum's on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $19 for adults, $16 for seniors 65 and older, $16 for active military, $11 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmick's Wings Café is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org

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