Sharing the Veedol Story

Volunteer aviation enthusiasts worked for several years to build the replica Miss Veedol in a hangar at East Wenatchee’s Pangborn Memorial Airport and finished the project in time to participate in a nationwide celebration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight. A century after Wilbur and Orville Wright flew the world’s first successful motor-operated airplane near Kitty Hawk, N.C., Miss Veedol took to the air in May 2003. The greater Wenatchee community was proud of this accomplishment, a tribute to regional native son Clyde Pangborn and the record-setting Misawa-Wenatchee flight of 1931.

Miss Veedol pilots flew the replica aircraft to numerous air shows during that centennial year. At each site the pilots had the opportunity of sharing the story of Pangborn, Herndon and the original Miss Veedol. Every year since 2003, Spirit of Wenatchee volunteers have flown the plane to air shows around the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada to continue raising awareness of the nearly-forgotten first nonstop trans-Pacific flight. A photo display, large poster and array of Miss Veedol sale items help the SOW volunteers attract air show visitors to inspect the plane and ask questions.

SOW volunteers also make presentations (including PowerPoint slide shows and tours of Miss Veedol’s hangar) to local schools and community groups.