By Janet Cruz

“McCulloch In The Air,” presented by Anderson Toyota, is the newest exhibit to take flight at the Lake Havasu Museum of History. The exhibit’s opening day featured the opportunity to take a close-up look at a  Gyro-Plane  (J2) outside the museum.

Once inside, visitors could find aviation items that Robert P. McCulloch Sr., built during his time. According to museum volunteer Michael Auria, after eight months of planning the exhibit finally came to be.

“We had a small display at the Balloon Festival last year, and that went over really well with the audience at that event,” Auria said. “So we wanted to make this exhibit accessible to more people in the community so we decided to make it the newest featured exhibit.”

Janet Cruz/ RiverScene

After doing some research, Auria and others found original footage of the J2 and preserved photographs  and digitized videos to share at the exhibit.

“When we looked through the video, there was also an old sales promotion video that McCulloch had commissioned when he was promoting the J2 for sale.” Auria said.

Historical artifacts such as a wooden propeller are also on display. The original blade which was used in the original model of the J2 were once smaller before  a newer propellor with three blades were later developed.  Storyboards also highlight McCulloch’s work, and the many ways the J2 was used throughout the years.

Janet Cruz/ RiverScene

Formally Kool TV & Radio (the now CBS affiliate In Phoenix)  purchased a J2.  The late pilot and reporter Jerry Foster used the  J2 for traffic reports and other stories in the 1970s (photograph on display at exhibit).  Janet Cruz/ RiverScene

If you missed the opening day of the featured exhibit, you can still take a glimpse  for a limited time and view other permanent exhibits and displays at the Lake Havasu Museum of History Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call the Lake Havasu Museum of History at 928-854-4938, or email info@havasumuseum.com.

The Museum is located at 320 London Bridge Road.

J2 Gryo-plane sits outside of the Lake Havasu Museum of History  during opening of newest exhibit.  Janet Cruz/ RiverScene