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Lech (Andrew F.) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10088
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Andrew F. Lech Personal Papers
source:
Lech, Andrew F.
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10088
Physical Description:
0.36 Cubic Feet
One Box
Date (inclusive): 1905-1995
Abstract: Andrew Lech was an aviation model maker. His highly detailed models have been displayed at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum
and the San Diego Air & Space Museum. His models date back to the 1920s.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Andrew Lech (1905 – 1991) was a postal worker in Chicago, Illinois. He lived in the suburb of Aurora. He retired from the
post office in approximately 1940. He began making scale models on a part-time basis while in high school. He began work on
the Spirit of St. Louis model in 1931. It was completed in 1933. It had a wingspan of 36 inches and featured working systems,
including fully functioning control systems. In 1940 he was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institution to provide structural
and external view drawings of the Spirit of St. Louis. He also constructed fifty precise scale models of various 1900 to 1930s
aircraft. In addition, he was commissioned by a patron in Orange County in 1967 to build scale models of experimental aircraft
as well as models that were proposed, but never executed. This commission also included dioramas of WWI airdromes.
In 1939 Mr. Lech began a correspondence with Paul Garber, Assistant Curator for aeronautics with the Smithsonian Institution.
This culminated in the donation of the model to the Smithsonian in 1972.
1 box containing 13 folders of correspondence, photos, drawings, and various printed materials. The information regarding
the commissioned models did not include the name of the patron.
Film: Lindbergh Flight F-0062. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=811vOeNYSLM
F-0685 Ryan Aeronautical Video: From Lindbergh to the Moon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZA7PEA4NSU
Video: Ryan Aircraft history VT 0027
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VZHu93WpNs&feature=c4-overview&playnext=1&list=TLQqdCtr_2Ua0
Related Research Institutions:
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Independence Ave at 6th St, SW, Washington, DC 20560
Archives: (703) 572-4045
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Model Aircraft
Garber, Paul Edward
Lech, Andrew F.
Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus)
Ryan Aeronautical Company
Smithsonian Institution, National Space and Air Museum
Spirit of St. Louis