March 20, 2009
An Earhart Souvenir?
Grace McGuire shows Elyse Luray where the part fits. (Photo: Stacey Young, courtesy PBS History Detectives)
This summer, the PBS History Detectives series will air an episode that investigates the provenance of a metal airplane part owned by a San Jose, California man. Jon Ott says his grandfather recovered the part from Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Electra 10E after she dragged a wing on the ground during takeoff on March 20, 1937, at Hawaii’s Luke Field at the start of her around-the-world flight. The Electra was then ferried to Burbank, California, where it was repaired; Earhart departed from Miami, Florida, on June 1 on a second attempt, and disappeared on July 2.
Ott says his grandfather, Dan Stringer, was a military aircraft mechanic working at Luke Field the day Earhart lost control on takeoff. Stringer retrieved a mangled piece of landing gear, about 7 inches square, and saved it to pass on to Ott, who received it when he earned Eagle Scout status.
History Detective Elyse Luray took the part to California Polytechnic for materials testing and then to Grace McGuire’s hangar in Santa Maria, where she compared the part to the landing gear on McGuire’s 1935 Lockheed Electra 10E, a sister ship to Earhart’s and the last known 10E in existence (Lockheed built only 15). McGuire had at one time planned to “finish Amelia’s flight for her,” using only original equipment, but bouts with Lyme Disease, coupled with a loss of sponsorship, dealt major setbacks.
“If we have a piece of her plane,” says Pat Kruis of Oregon Public Broadcasting, “it would be the only one known and historically extraordinary.”
And if it is so, will it end up at a museum, or on eBay?
Grace Mcguire’s plane is a 1935 twin engine Lockheed Electra L-10E
Comment by grace mcguire — March 21, 2009 @ 3:50 pm
Grace Mcguire named her plane ‘Muriel’ after Amelia Éarhart’s sister Grace Muriel Earhart Morrissey.
Comment by grace mcguire — March 22, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
Grace never gave up her dream of recreating Amelia’s flight and recently moved her plane from NJ to Sants Maria for final assembly. The XC trip was a tribute to those taken by Lyme Disease and co-infections.
Comment by grace mcguire — March 22, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
This is a very exciting discovery and it will be fascinating to see what the research will lead to. Grace is very courageous and I am sure that those who suffer from Lyme disease will appreciate her efforts and her project and the attention it may bring in shedding light on this horrible illness. . . . “Muriel” is a dream becoming reality.
Comment by s malcolm — March 23, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
I hope you finally make the trip, Grace. (I knew Grace when I was in the army and stationed at Fort Monmouth, in New Jersey in the 60s. I knew she became a pilot, but had no idea about the Earhart project.) I hope to continue following this extraordinary project!!
Comment by Dan Brookes — May 30, 2009 @ 2:18 pm
I just saw the History Detectives episode and am wondering if there are any updates on Grace’s trip.
Comment by James Truitt — July 29, 2009 @ 6:37 am
Why does she discount the flight in 1967 when she said that no one had re-created Earhart’s flight?
Comment by Ed G. — August 5, 2009 @ 1:20 pm
Grace:
As the chairman of the Municipal Airport Board, I would like to extend an invitation to you to overnight in Athens(F44), Texas enroute from San Diego to Miami. We are 70 miles SE of Dallas and have a great little airport. If you are interested in my offer, please contact me to discuss it further. I have faith that in spite of the setbacks you have endured, you will be successful.
Best Regards,
David W. Stewart
david@athenstexas.net
Comment by David Stewart — August 21, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
Just today, I finished reading several articles on Ms. McGuire’s lofty plans. Of course Amelia Earhardt is of the era represented at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. I will be making a trip to San Diego next week and would love to take a peek at her Electra L10E that is allegedly now hangared there.
The Aerodrome is now dormant until June of 2010 but her cause relates well to an event that we started this year called “Women Fly” …perhaps we could work out an opportunity that would help facilitate her goal.
Don Fleming VP Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Air Shows, Member of B.O.T. 860-354-6722
Comment by don fleming — November 5, 2009 @ 8:54 pm
As the Director of Airports for the County of San Diego I want everyone to know Grace McGuire is here at one of our eight airports – Gillespie Field in El Cajon. She is still working on her Lockheed Electra 10E now hangared at Safari Aviation under the watchful eye of Safari owner Dick McDowell. Grace may be reached through our County Office of Aviation Sarah Solis at 619-956-4800. Clear Skies & Happy Landings!
Comment by Peter Drinkwater — February 25, 2010 @ 10:13 pm
San Diego County airports website for CTN.org interview
Comment by grace McGuire ground crew — March 9, 2010 @ 7:36 pm
The story of Grace and Muriel and the dream that is coming true are so inspiring!!!! I believe in her and this amazing endeavor. They have come along way and those dreams are sure to come true!
Comment by Shelley — September 8, 2011 @ 12:09 pm
Olá Grace, boa noite!
Recebi sua carta nesta semana. Esperei mais de 20 anos por sua resposta, mas tudo bem, afinal nós aviadores temos todo o tempo do mundo.
Gostaria de receber mais informações sobre o seu projeto.
Saudações e sucesso,
Camargo Filho.
Comment by Camargo Filho — December 1, 2011 @ 7:57 pm
Is it possible that Grace McGuire, born in Scotland, is actually AE’s Grandaughter? Is it possible that AE had a daughter, born in Canada, during her 1924 cross country trip?
Is is possible that her daughter moved to Scotland, where Grace was born? They look exactly alike.
Comment by Frank Prio — January 25, 2012 @ 7:55 pm
Live interview with Grace McGuire on Warbirdradio.com
Grace McGuire’s L-10E on 1000aircraftphotos.com
Comment by Warbird Radio. Com — February 14, 2012 @ 7:51 am