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This article speaks for itself.

airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/85-hours-in-1931-airplane-180968358/

Hello Bilbo:

Glad you posted the link to the article - I've been waiting for this. I was contacted by the Smithsonian a couple of months ago inquiring about any photos the Packard Motor Car Foundation might have about the DR-980 engine and Walter Lees. As you can see, they used one of the photos I have showing the fuel cans stacked up next to the airplane.

The Smithsonian was surprised to hear that the Packard Proving Grounds still exists including the hangar where the first diesel-powered aircraft took flight. I will be in Washington DC next week to see what it would take to borrow the DR-980 motor from the Smithsonian as it is NOT currently on display.

Attached is a photo of Walter Lees demonstrating how he dislodged a fuel can that got stuck in the tail of the plane.

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