<strong>Undefeated record: </strong>The world record for the world's longest continuous flight was set in 1959 by Robert Timm (pictured) and his co-pilot John Cook.
Undefeated record: The world record for the world's longest continuous flight was set in 1959 by Robert Timm (pictured) and his co-pilot John Cook.
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum
<strong>Months in the air: </strong>The men flew in this four-seater aircraft for 64 days, 22 hours and 19 minutes. They're being paced here by the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hemmings.com%2Fstories%2F2015%2F07%2F07%2Fcrash-wagon-thunderbird-helped-make-flying-in-and-out-of-las-vegas-safe" target="_blank" target="_blank">Ford Thunderbird "crash wagon</a>" that assisted with fueling.
Months in the air: The men flew in this four-seater aircraft for 64 days, 22 hours and 19 minutes. They're being paced here by the Ford Thunderbird "crash wagon" that assisted with fueling.
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum
<strong>Police presence: </strong>The stunt was conducted as publicity for the Hacienda hotel and casino, which operated on the Las Vegas Strip for 40 years from 1956 to 1996.
Police presence: The stunt was conducted as publicity for the Hacienda hotel and casino, which operated on the Las Vegas Strip for 40 years from 1956 to 1996.
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum
<strong>Aerial refueling: </strong>"When they needed to refuel, they would come down and fly very low and just above stall speed, then the truck came along and winched up a hose and then used a pump to transfer the fuel into the airplane," says aviation historian Janet Bednarek.
Aerial refueling: "When they needed to refuel, they would come down and fly very low and just above stall speed, then the truck came along and winched up a hose and then used a pump to transfer the fuel into the airplane," says aviation historian Janet Bednarek.
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum
<strong>Cessna 172:</strong> Timm spend months modifying his chosen plane, adding a mattress to sleep on, a small steel sink for personal hygiene, the removal of most of the interior fittings to save weight, and a rudimentary autopilot.
Cessna 172: Timm spend months modifying his chosen plane, adding a mattress to sleep on, a small steel sink for personal hygiene, the removal of most of the interior fittings to save weight, and a rudimentary autopilot.
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum
<strong>Long haul: </strong>It really was a dramatic show of airmanship," says Bednarek of the refueling ballet.
Long haul: It really was a dramatic show of airmanship," says Bednarek of the refueling ballet.
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum
<strong>Record breakers: </strong>Holding their trophies for the world record endurance flight are Robert Timm, Preston Foster (actor and ground operations manager), Warren "Doc" Bailey (owner of the Hacienda) and John Cook.
Record breakers: Holding their trophies for the world record endurance flight are Robert Timm, Preston Foster (actor and ground operations manager), Warren "Doc" Bailey (owner of the Hacienda) and John Cook.
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum
<strong>Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum: </strong>The Hacienda Cessna now hangs above baggage claim at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Find out more about the museum <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.harryreidairport.com%2FMuseum" target="_blank" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum: The Hacienda Cessna now hangs above baggage claim at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Find out more about the museum here.
Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum