May 26 1967
From The Space Library
May 26-31: 27th Paris International Air and Space Show at Le Bourget Airport was opened by French President Charles de Gaulle, who toured the French, British, US., and U.S.S.R. exhibits. More than 450 aerospace companies representing 16 countries participated in the show. Exhibits in US. pavilion traced the progress of aviation during the 40 yrs since May 20-21, 1927, when Charles A. Lindbergh flew from New York to Paris, becoming the first man to fly the Atlantic non-stop alone. Included were: (1) a replica of Lindbergh's aircraft, "The Spirit of St. Louis"; (2) Douglas Aircraft Co.'s DC-8 Super 63, world's largest commercial jet aircraft; (3) SV-5J, first manned jet lifting body vehicle; (4) USAF F-111A swingwing jet fighter; and (5 ) models of NASA's Lunar Orbiter, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft. Soviet exhibit featured first public display of Vostok booster, similar to the one used to launch Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin on world's first manned space flight April 12,1961. On May 29, Cosmonaut Pave1 Belyayev entered the Apollo spacecraft during a visit to the US. pavilion and discussed the instruments, levers, and buttons inside the spacecraft with Astronaut David R. Scott. Belyayev was first Soviet cosmonaut ever to have entered a US. spacecraft. On May 31, it was announced that two USAF rescue and recovery helicopters had left New York enroute to Paris, attempting to achieve the first nonstop helicopter crossing of the Atlantic. Helicopters would refuel in flight about eight times during flight, which was expected to take 28-32 hrs. USAF said purpose of the crossing was to demonstrate "the long-range capability of the HH-3E [helicopter] for employment in long range recovery of personnel who may be forced down at sea a great distance from land." Helicopters landed safely at Le Bourget Airport June 1. (Long, NYT, 5/21/67, 88; UPI, NYT, 5/27/67, 50M; W Post, 5/27/67, D20; W Post, 5/30/67, A1)
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